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Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals
Published on: May 19, 2023
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Changes in motor function and brain cortex mitochondrial active oxygen species production in aged mice
S Lores-Arnaiz1, P Lombardi1, A G Karadayian1
1Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Fisicoquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular (IBIMOL), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Experimental Gerontology
|January 19, 2019
Summary
Neuronal aging impacts motor skills and brain function. This study found reduced superoxide and cardiolipin in aged mouse synapses, correlating with motor deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neuronal aging is linked to metabolic and motor function decline.
- Understanding age-related changes in brain cells is crucial for addressing neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in synaptosomes and mitochondria from mouse brain cortex.
- To correlate these cellular changes with observed motor performance deficits in aged mice.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of young (3 months) and aged (17 months) male Swiss mice.
- Isolation of synaptosomal and non-synaptic mitochondrial fractions from brain cortex.
- Measurement of active oxygen species, cardiolipin content, and acetylcholinesterase activity.
Main Results:
- Aged mice showed reduced motor performance and altered walking patterns.
- Synaptosomes from aged mice had lower superoxide levels and cardiolipin content.
- Non-synaptic mitochondria from aged mice exhibited decreased H2O2 production.
- Acetylcholinesterase activity was reduced in aged mice.
Conclusions:
- Age-related alterations in neuronal function, particularly at synapses, are associated with changes in active oxygen species.
- These synaptic changes correlate with motor deficiencies observed in aging mice.
- Findings suggest a link between synaptic oxidative stress and age-related motor decline.
Keywords:
Active oxygen speciesAgeingCerebral cortexMotor performanceNon-synaptic mitochondriaSynaptosomesMore Related Videos
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