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Mitochondria, oxidative stress and aging

J Sastre1, F V Pallardó, J García de la Asunción

  • 1Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Fisiología, Universitat de Valencia, Spain.

Free Radical Research
|March 24, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Antioxidants can prevent cellular aging by protecting mitochondrial DNA from oxidative damage. Late-onset antioxidant treatment also improves age-related decline in physiological functions like motor coordination.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Mitochondria and their DNA (mtDNA) are susceptible to oxidative damage, accumulating with age.
  • Age-related mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to cellular aging and declines in physiological performance.
  • Oxidative damage to mtDNA is significantly higher than to nuclear DNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of antioxidants in preventing age-associated oxidative damage to mitochondria.
  • To determine if antioxidant treatment can reverse or prevent age-related changes in mitochondrial morphology and function.
  • To assess the efficacy of late-onset antioxidant administration in mitigating age-related physiological impairments.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment with various antioxidants including sulfur-containing compounds, vitamins C and E, and Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).
  • Assessment of oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mitochondrial glutathione.
  • Evaluation of changes in mitochondrial size and membrane potential in brain and liver tissues.
  • Analysis of physiological performance, specifically motor coordination, following antioxidant treatment.

Main Results:

  • Antioxidants, particularly EGb 761, protected against age-associated oxidative damage to mtDNA and mitochondrial glutathione.
  • EGb 761 prevented age-related alterations in mitochondrial morphology and function in brain and liver.
  • Late-onset antioxidant administration reversed age-related declines in physiological performance, including motor coordination.

Conclusions:

  • Antioxidant interventions can effectively prevent mitochondrial aging and its associated cellular damage.
  • Targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress with antioxidants offers a promising strategy for combating age-related decline.
  • Antioxidants may serve as therapeutic agents to improve physiological function in aging populations.

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