The effect of aging on the mineral status of female mice

Biol Trace Elem Res. 1994 Aug;42(2):165-77. doi: 10.1007/BF02785387.

Abstract

To clarify the effect of aging on the mineral status of female mice, mineral concentrations in their tissues were determined. Five 2-mo-old, five 6-mo-old, and five 10-mo-old female B10BR mice were fed a commercial diet. Iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium concentrations in the blood, liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, and spleen of the mice were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Iron concentrations in the liver, kidney, heart, brain, and spleen increased with age. Significant differences were detected between mice 2 and 6 mo of age and between mice 2 and 10 mo of age. Zinc concentrations in the heart and lung decreased significantly with age. Zinc concentrations in the heart and lung of 10-mo-old mice were significantly lower than those of 2-mo-old mice. It is noteworthy that the copper concentration in the brain of 10-mo-old mice was markedly higher compared with that of younger mice. Calcium accumulation was apparent in the kidney of mice at 10 mo.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Female
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Organ Specificity
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Sodium / metabolism
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Trace Elements / blood
  • Trace Elements / metabolism*
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Trace Elements
  • Copper
  • Sodium
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Potassium
  • Calcium