Beneficial effects of a Q-ter based nutritional mixture on functional performance, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress in rats.
BACKGROUND
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are central mechanisms underlying the aging process and the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. Selected antioxidants and specific combinations of nutritional compounds could target many biochemical pathways that affect both oxidative stress and mitochondrial function and, thereby, preserve or enhance physical performance.


RESULTS
In this study, we evaluated the potential anti-aging benefits of a Q-ter based nutritional mixture (commercially known as Eufortyn) mainly containing the following compounds: terclatrated coenzyme Q(10) (Q-ter), creatine and a standardized ginseng extract. We found that Eufortyn supplementation significantly ameliorated the age-associated decreases in grip strength and gastrocnemius subsarcolemmal mitochondria Ca(2+) retention capacity when initiated in male Fischer344 x Brown Norway rats at 21 months, but not 29 months, of age. Moreover, the increases in muscle RNA oxidation and subsarcolemmal mitochondrial protein carbonyl levels, as well as the decline of total urine antioxidant power, which develop late in life, were mitigated by Eufortyn supplementation in rats at 29 months of age.


CONCLUSIONS
These data imply that Eufortyn is efficacious in reducing oxidative damage, improving the age-related mitochondrial functional decline, and preserving physical performance when initiated in animals at early midlife (21 months). The efficacy varied, however, according to the age at which the supplementation was provided, as initiation in late middle age (29 months) was incapable of restoring grip strength and mitochondrial function. Therefore, the Eufortyn supplementation may be particularly beneficial when initiated prior to major biological and functional declines that appear to occur with advancing age.
Xu
Jinze
J
Division of Biology of Aging, Genomics and Biomarkers Core of The Institute on Aging, Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America. jxu@aging.ufl.edu
Seo
Arnold Y
AY
Vorobyeva
Darya A
DA
Carter
Christy S
CS
Anton
Stephen D
SD
Lezza
Angela M S
AM
Leeuwenburgh
Christiaan
C
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012508:Sarcolemma / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014451:Ubiquinone; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D007501:Iron; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D002118:Calcium