Age-related mitochondrial DNA deletion in rat liver depends on dietary fat unsaturation.
We fed male Wistar rats lifelong on virgin olive (rich in the monounsaturated oleic acid) or sunflower (rich in the polyunsaturated linoleic acid) oil-based diets. At 6 and 24 months, liver mitochondria were analyzed for a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion, reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, and ultrastructural alterations. An aging-related increase in the relative amount of the deletion was observed for both dietary groups, being higher in animals fed sunflower oil. Oxidative stress was lower in virgin olive oil-fed animals. Aging led to higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased alpha-tocopherol and coenzyme Q. Mitochondria from aged animals fed sunflower oil exhibited a lower number of cristae and a higher circularity. Results suggest that the age-related increase of the relative amount of deleted mtDNA depends on fat unsaturation. Moreover, the studied mtDNA deletion was correlated with mitochondrial oxidative stress and ultrastructural alterations.
Quiles
José L
JL
Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Granada, Spain. jlquiles@ugr.es
Ochoa
Julio J
JJ
Ramirez-Tortosa
M Carmen
MC
Huertas
Jesús R
JR
Mataix
José
J
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D000069463:Olive Oil; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010938:Plant Oils; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000032:analysis; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000032:analysis
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; D014451:Ubiquinone; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol