Aging Increases Susceptibility to Develop Cardiac Hypertrophy following High Sugar Consumption

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Aging Research
• Mitochondrial Medicine

Background:

• Aging and poor diet are known risk factors for heart disease.
• Aging impairs mitochondrial function, leading to cardiac remodeling and sarcopenia.
• The specific impact of high-sucrose diets on the aging heart remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a high-sucrose (HS) diet on cardiac function in aging mice.
• To determine if the mitochondrial-targeted drug elamipretide (ELAM) can prevent HS diet-induced cardiac dysfunction in aged hearts.

Main Methods:

• 24-month-old male CB6F1 mice were fed a HS diet (60% kcal sucrose) or chow for up to 4 weeks.
• Cardiac hypertrophy was assessed by heart weight.
• Mice were treated with elamipretide (ELAM) or saline control.
• Mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured.

Main Results:

• HS diet induced significant cardiac hypertrophy in old mice within one week, which persisted.
• Old mice on HS diet showed accelerated declines in body weight and strength.
• ELAM treatment prevented HS diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy in old mice.
• HS diet did not significantly affect cardiac hypertrophy in young mice.
• Mitochondrial respiration and ROS production were altered by age but not significantly affected by HS diet or ELAM.

Conclusions:

• The aged heart is particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of high-sucrose diets.
• Elamipretide demonstrates potential in preventing diet-induced cardiac dysfunction in aging individuals.
• Targeting mitochondria systemically may offer a therapeutic strategy for mitigating the impact of poor diet on the aging heart.