Mitochondrial damage in aging and apoptosis.
Mitochondria are essential to cellular aging, and free radical production by mitochondria is increased with aging. The rate of oxidant production by mitochondria correlates inversely with maximal life span of species. In many species, females live longer than males. We report that mitochondrial oxidant production by females is significantly lower than that of males. However, mitochondria from ovariectomized females have a similar oxidant production as those of males. Thus, gender difference in life span can be explained, at least in part, by different oxidant generation by mitochondria. Administration of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, or a Ginkgo biloba extract, protects against age-associated oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA, oxidation of glutathione, and other signs of oxidative damage to mitochondria.
Sastre
Juan
J
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez 17, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Borrás
Consuelo
C
García-Sala
David
D
Lloret
Ana
A
Pallardó
Federico V
FV
Viña
José
J
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species