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Reduced lipoprotein lipase activity in postural skeletal muscle during aging
1Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|July 18, 2001
Summary
Aging significantly reduces lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and protein mass in postural skeletal muscles, but not in non-weight-bearing muscles. This highlights age-related metabolic changes in specific muscle types.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Skeletal Muscle Physiology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is crucial for fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism in muscle.
- The impact of aging on LPL regulation within skeletal muscle remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging on LPL regulation in different skeletal muscle types.
- To compare LPL activity, protein mass, and mRNA concentration in young versus aged rats.
Main Methods:
- Assessed total and heparin-releasable LPL (HR-LPL) activities in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles of aged and young Fischer 344 rats and F1 hybrid rats.
- Quantified total LPL protein mass and LPL mRNA concentration in the same muscle groups.
- Utilized two rat strains (Fischer 344 and F-344 x BN F1) across different age points (4-31 months).
Main Results:
- Aging led to significant reductions in total LPL activity (38-50%) and HR-LPL activity (52%) in the soleus (postural) muscle.
- Total LPL protein mass decreased by 32-46% in the soleus muscle of aged rats.
- No significant age-related changes in LPL activity, protein mass, or mRNA were observed in the tibialis anterior (non-weight-bearing) muscle.
Conclusions:
- Aging selectively impairs LPL regulation in postural skeletal muscles.
- LPL activity and protein levels are diminished in aged postural muscles, suggesting altered lipid metabolism.
- Non-weight-bearing muscles show resilience to age-related changes in LPL regulation.