Morphometric Changes Induced by Amino Acid Supplementation in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles of Old Mice - 08/08/11
, Evasio Pasini, MD b, Giuseppe D'Antona, MD, PhD c, d, Enzo Nisoli, MD, PhD e, Vincenzo Flati, PhD f, Deodato Assanelli, MD g, Francesco S. Dioguardi, MD h, Rossella Bianchi, MD, PhD aRésumé |
Aging is associated with progressive structural disorganization of muscular and cardiac fibers, decreasing functional capacity, and increased rates of disease and death. Aging is also characterized by disturbances in protein synthesis with impaired cellular organelle functions, particularly in the mitochondria. The availability of amino acids is a key factor for the overall metabolism of mammals and exogenous supplements of amino acid mixtures (AAm) could be a valid therapeutic strategy to improve quality of life, avoiding malnutrition and muscle wasting in the elderly. We investigated the morphoquantitative effects of long-term AAm supplementation on the mitochondria and sarcomeres (by electron microscope) and on collagen matrix deposition (by histologic techniques) in both skeletal and cardiac muscles of young and aged mice. Our data showed that old animals have fewer mitochondria and massive fibrosis in both muscles. Long-term AAm supplementation increased the number and volume of mitochondria and sarcomeres and decreased fibrosis in both skeletal muscle and hearts in old rats. These findings indicate that AAm restored muscular morphologic parameters and probably improved the mechanical performance of these organs.
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| Statement of author disclosure: Please see the Author Disclosures section at the end of this article. |
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| This research was supported in part by a grant from the MIUR (Ministries of Education, Universities and Research of Italy). |
Vol 101 - N° 11S
P. S26-S34 - juin 2008 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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