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Altered polyamine biosynthesis with aging after massive proximal small bowel resection in rat
K Sakamoto1, Y Fujiyama, T Bamba
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan.
Journal of Gastroenterology
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Aging reduces the small intestine's adaptive response to resection, partly due to decreased ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA expression. Older rats showed diminished polyamine biosynthesis adaptation post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Aging Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Aging impacts organ function and adaptive capacity.
- Polyamines are crucial for cell growth and repair.
- Small bowel resection triggers adaptive responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of aging on polyamine biosynthesis and small intestine adaptation after resection.
- To determine the role of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in age-related adaptive changes.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of young (10-week) and old (24-month) Wistar rats undergoing small bowel resection.
- Assessment of mucosal histology, weight, protein, DNA, RNA, and polyamine content.
- Measurement of ODC activity and ODC mRNA expression via Northern blot analysis.
Main Results:
- Old rats exhibited lower wet weight and protein content initially post-surgery compared to young rats.
- ODC activity and ODC mRNA were reduced in old rats on the first postoperative day.
- Putrescine levels differed between age groups, being lower on POD 2 and higher on POD 4 in old rats.
Conclusions:
- The aging small intestine retains adaptive capacity after resection but shows a diminished response.
- Decreased ODC mRNA expression is implicated in the reduced adaptive capacity associated with aging.