title: Oxidation-resistant membrane phospholipids can explain longevity differences among the longest-living rodents and similarly-sized mice.
abstract: Underlying causes of species differences in maximum life span (MLS) are unknown, although differential vulnerability of membrane phospholipids to peroxidation is implicated. Membrane composition and longevity correlate with body size; membranes of longer-living, larger mammals have less polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). We determined membrane phospholipid composition of naked mole-rats (MLS > 28.3 years) and similar-sized mice (MLS = 3-4 years) by gas-liquid chromatography to assess if the approximately 9x MLS difference could be explained. Mole-rat membrane composition was unchanged with age. Both species had similar amounts of membrane total unsaturated fatty acids; however, mice had 9 times more docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Because this n-3PUFA is most susceptible to lipid peroxidation, mole-rat membranes are substantially more resistant to oxidative stress than are mice membranes. Naked mole-rat peroxidation indices, calculated from muscle and liver mitochondrial membranes, concur with those predicted by MLS rather than by body size, suggesting that membrane phospholipid composition is an important determinant of longevity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, City College of The City University of New York, Convent Ave. at 138 St., New York, NY 10031, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hulbert
authors.forename: Sally C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Faulks
authors.forename: Rochelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buffenstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008136:Longevity; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019577:Mole Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids