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Coenzyme Q deficiency in aged mice.

E G Bliznakov, T Watanabe, S Saji

Journal of Medicine

|January 1, 1978

Summary

Aging significantly impairs thymus coenzyme Q-enzyme activity in mice, leading to reduced immune function. Spleen function remains unaffected, highlighting age-related thymus decline as a key factor in immune suppression.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Gerontology
Mitochondrial biochemistry

Background:

Aging is associated with a decline in immune function, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the aging process and age-related diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate age-related changes in succinate dehydrogenase-coenzyme Q reductase activity in mouse thymus and spleen mitochondria.
To correlate these biochemical changes with anatomical alterations and their impact on immune responsiveness.

Main Methods:

Mitochondria were isolated from the thymus and spleen of young and aged mice.
Succinate dehydrogenase-coenzyme Q reductase activity was measured spectrophotometrically.
Body weight, liver weight, spleen weight, and thymus weight were recorded to calculate organ weight-to-body weight ratios.

Main Results:

A significant decrease in succinate dehydrogenase-coenzyme Q reductase activity was observed in the thymus mitochondria of aged mice across all age groups.
No significant changes in enzyme activity were detected in spleen mitochondria.
A significant decrease in the thymus weight-to-body weight ratio was observed in aged mice, while liver and spleen weight ratios remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

Age-dependent functional and anatomical alterations in the thymus contribute to T cell-mediated immune suppression in aged mice.
Mitochondrial coenzyme Q-enzyme deficiency in the thymus is a key factor in age-related immune decline.
The spleen is less affected by age-related mitochondrial dysfunction compared to the thymus.

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