Age-related mitochondrial DNA deletion in rat liver depends on dietary fat unsaturation

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006 Feb;61(2):107-14. doi: 10.1093/gerona/61.2.107.

Abstract

We fed male Wistar rats lifelong on virgin olive (rich in the monounsaturated oleic acid) or sunflower (rich in the polyunsaturated linoleic acid) oil-based diets. At 6 and 24 months, liver mitochondria were analyzed for a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion, reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, and ultrastructural alterations. An aging-related increase in the relative amount of the deletion was observed for both dietary groups, being higher in animals fed sunflower oil. Oxidative stress was lower in virgin olive oil-fed animals. Aging led to higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased alpha-tocopherol and coenzyme Q. Mitochondria from aged animals fed sunflower oil exhibited a lower number of cristae and a higher circularity. Results suggest that the age-related increase of the relative amount of deleted mtDNA depends on fat unsaturation. Moreover, the studied mtDNA deletion was correlated with mitochondrial oxidative stress and ultrastructural alterations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage*
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / analysis
  • Liver / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Olive Oil
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plant Oils
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Ubiquinone / analysis
  • alpha-Tocopherol / analysis

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Ubiquinone
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • alpha-Tocopherol