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Published on: December 7, 2012
Decreased Pasteur effect in platelets of aged individuals
M D'Aurelio1, M Merlo Pich, L Catani
1Dipartimento di Biochimica G. Moruzzi, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|May 5, 2001
Summary
Aging impairs mitochondrial function in human platelets. Older individuals showed increased lactate production and reduced stimulation, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction detectable in blood cells.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Cellular Metabolism
Background:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging.
- Oxidative phosphorylation declines with age in post-mitotic tissues.
- Platelets offer a model for studying age-related cellular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in mitochondrial energy metabolism in human platelets.
- To assess mitochondrial function using the Pasteur effect assay.
- To correlate platelet mitochondrial function with biological aging.
Main Methods:
- Purified human platelets from young (19-30 years) and aged (65-87 years) individuals were used.
- The Pasteur effect was exploited by measuring lactate production.
- Mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor antimycin A was used to stimulate glycolysis.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in basal lactate production was observed in aged platelets.
- A decrease in antimycin A-stimulated lactate production was noted in older individuals.
- These findings suggest impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in aged platelets.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial energy state alterations are detectable in human platelets of aged individuals.
- Platelet mitochondrial function reflects age-related metabolic changes seen in other tissues.
- Easily collectable blood cells like platelets can serve as biomarkers for aging.
