Experimental gerontology
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Experimental gerontology · May 2019
Novel biomolecules of ageing, sex differences and potential underlying mechanisms of telomere shortening in coronary artery disease.
Telomere length (TL), growth differentiate factor (GDF)11, insulin growth factor (IGF)1, sirtuin (SIRT)1 and inflammatory processes have been related to ageing and age-related diseases, like coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate the associations between leukocyte TLs (LTLs), chronological age, sex and comorbidities in CAD patients. Any covariations between LTL, GDF11, IGF1, SIRT-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines were further assessed.
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Experimental gerontology · Feb 2019
Observational StudyCardiac function is not associated with glucose control in older women.
The present study evaluated the effect of age on glucose tolerance and cardiac function and assessed the relationship between metabolic control and cardiac function and performance. Thirty-four healthy women aged 40 to 81 years were divided into two age groups: younger (≤50 years of age, N = 19) and older (≥60 years of age, N = 15). Participants performed an oral glucose tolerance test and a graded cardiopulmonary exercise test with non-invasive haemodynamic measurements. ⋯ The strength of these relationships was affected by age, with moderate negative relationship identified between 2-hour glucose and peak cardiac power output in younger compared to older participants (r = -0.38, P = 0.11 vs. r = -0.09, P = 0.75). Metabolic control and cardiac function decline with age. The lack of relationship between glucose control and cardiac power may suggest that metabolic control does not influence cardiac function and performance in older women.
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Experimental gerontology · Dec 2018
17β-estradiol inhibits human umbilical vascular endothelial cell senescence by regulating autophagy via p53.
Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) senescence is an initiating factor in numerous cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), an estrogen with numerous biological activities such as inhibition of atherosclerosis, protects VECs from senescence. However, the effects of 17β-E2 on human umbilical VECs (HUVECs) remain unknown. ⋯ Increased autophagy induced by 17β-E2 inhibited H2O2-induced senescence of HUVECs, increased cell viability, and maintained HUVEC morphology. 17β-E2 pre-treatment also decreased cell cycle arrest, decreased the dephosphorylation of Rb, decreased the production of ET-1, and increased the production of NO. Most importantly, 17β-E2 pre-treatment increased autophagy by activating p53 and its downstream effector p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA). Overall, our data indicate the critical role of autophagy in the anti-senescent effect of 17β-E2 on HUVECs.
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Experimental gerontology · Nov 2018
Observational StudyBioimpedance analysis as an indicator of muscle mass and strength in a group of elderly subjects.
To assess the association between whole-body and calf impedance vectors and muscle mass and strength in a group of elderly individuals. ⋯ Whole-body BIVA detects loss of muscle mass and strength, while calf BIVA only distinguishes subjects having muscle mass loss. The localized BIVA might be an alternative to conventional BIA or whole-body BIVA to assess body composition in the elderly.
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Experimental gerontology · Sep 2018
Observational StudySestrins are differentially expressed with age in the skeletal muscle of men: A cross-sectional analysis.
A gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass is a common feature of aging, leading to impaired insulin sensitivity and mobility. Sestrin1, 2, 3 are multifunctional proteins that regulate the mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC1), autophagy and redox homeostasis. It is unclear how aging affects Sestrins and their downstream targets in human, therefore this study examined the basal expression of Sestrins in three age groups, young, middle-aged and older men and explored the mTORC1 pathway, autophagy markers and antioxidant regulation. ⋯ The mRNA expressions of autophagic markers including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and BCL2 interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) were upregulated in middle-aged and older men. Although nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) was upregulated in older men, the protein and mRNA expressions of its downstream antioxidants were either increased, decreased or unaltered. No clear relationship was observed between Sestrins and their downstream targets, yet it can be concluded that Sestrins proteins are clearly downregulated with aging.