Aging affects sex- and organ-specific trace element profiles in mice

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Aging is associated with declining immune function and altered redox balance.
• Trace elements like copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc are known to influence these processes.
• Previous research often focused on single trace elements, limiting a comprehensive understanding of their age-related interplay.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simultaneously analyze age-specific profiles of multiple trace elements in serum and organs of mice.
• To correlate multi-trace element levels and identify age-dependent alteration patterns.
• To investigate the relationship between trace element changes, immune response, and redox status during aging.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of trace element concentrations (copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc) in serum and liver tissues of adult and old mice.
• Measurement of copper transporter expression in the liver.
• Assessment of correlations between trace element levels, proinflammatory mediators, and Nrf2-induced ferritin H.

Main Results:

• Serum analysis revealed increased copper and iodine, and decreased zinc in old mice compared to adults.
• Liver tissue showed decreased copper and elevated iron concentrations in old mice.
• Age-related hepatic copper reduction correlated with decreased copper transporter expression; increased hepatic iron correlated with proinflammatory mediators and ferritin H.

Conclusions:

• Aging significantly alters trace element profiles in serum and liver, with a unique inverse regulation of copper and iron observed specifically in the liver.
• These age-dependent alterations in trace elements, particularly the iron/copper ratio in the liver, may have significant physiological implications for aging and liver function.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional importance of these observed trace element changes during the aging process.