title: The role of mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2(-)) on physiological aging in C57BL/6J mice.
abstract: Much attention has been focused on the mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2(-)), which is also a critical free radial produced by ionizing radiation. The specific role of the mitochondrial O2(-) on physiological aging in mammals is still unclear despite wide-spread evidence that oxidative stress is involved in aging and age-related diseases. The major endogenous source of O2(-) is generated as a byproduct of energy metabolism from mitochondria. In order to better understand how O2(-)relates to metazoan aging, we have comprehensively examined age-related changes in the levels of oxidative damage, mitochondrial O2(-) production, mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activity and apoptosis induction in key organs of an inbred mouse strain (C57BL/6J). Oxidative damage accumulated and excess apoptosis occurred in the brain, oculus and kidney with aging, but comparatively little occurred in the heart and muscle. These rates are correlated with O2(-) levels. Mitochondrial O2(-) production levels increased with aging in the brain, oculus and kidney, and did not significantly increased in the heart and muscle. In contrast to O2(-) production, mitochondrial SOD activities increased in heart and muscle, and remained unchanged in the brain, oculus and kidney with aging. These results suggest that O2(-) production has high organ specificity, and oxidative damage by O2(-) from mitochondria mediated apoptosis can lead to organ atrophy and physiological dysfunction. In addition, O2(-) from mitochondria plays a core role in physiological aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
authors.forename: Takamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Setsuko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Onouchi
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: Naoaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishii
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides