Effect of age on induction of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase by fasting

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (2) ◽  
pp. G195-G200 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Van Remmen ◽  
W. F. Ward

This study examines the effect of age on the induction of the rate-limiting enzyme in gluconeogenesis, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), in response to fasting and refeeding in male Fischer 344 rats aged 3-18 mo. The rats were fasted for 30 h to increase the activity of PEPCK and subsequently were refed for 24 h to lower activity toward basal levels. PEPCK activity increased 2.2-fold in the 3-mo-old rats and 2.3-fold in the 18-mo-old rats during the 30-h fast. Therefore PEPCK induction during the 30-h fast was not altered with age. Similarly, refeeding resulted in a significant decrease in PEPCK activity at all ages. After the 24-h refeeding period, the rats were fasted a second time, and the time course of induction from the basal refed level was measured. In the young rats (6 mo), the activity of PEPCK increased rapidly from 18.12 +/- 1.61 to 42.66 +/- 5.94 U/g protein (P < 0.01) within 8 h of fasting. However, in the 18-mo-old rats, the initiation of the induction of PEPCK activity was delayed, and, after 12 h, PEPCK activity had increased from 17.34 +/- 1.34 to only 32.50 +/- 3.21 U/g protein (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the rate of induction appears to be decreased in the older animals. The activity after 24 h of fasting was equivalent in all four age groups (ranging from 44.72 +/- 5.38 at 3 mo to 40.18 +/- 5.42 U/g protein at 18 mo).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (4) ◽  
pp. L555-L565 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Vincent ◽  
D. Vu ◽  
G. Hatch ◽  
R. Poon ◽  
K. Dreher ◽  
...  

Biological effects indicators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were studied in Fischer 344 rats of different ages after exposure to 0.4-0.8 ppm ozone for periods of 2-6 h on a single day or on 4 consecutive days. The magnitude of alveolar protein transudation induced by ozone was not different between age groups, but the interindividual variability of protein changes was higher in senescent (24-mo-old) rats. By comparison to juvenile (2-mo-old) and adult (9-mo-old) rats, senescent animals had higher increases of interleukin-6 (up to 10-fold higher) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGA; 2-fold higher) in lung lavage after ozone. Ascorbic acid was lower in lungs of senescent rats (one-half of juvenile values), and acute ozone exposure brought a further decrease in lung ascorbate. Whereas alveolar protein transudation was attenuated after ozone exposure on 4 days, persistent elevation of NAGA in senescent rats suggested only partial adaptation. Injection of endotoxin did not modify the patterns of effects. Incorporation of 18O-ozone into macrophages and surfactant was not different between age groups, indicating that the magnified biological responses in senescent rats were not dominated by differences in internal dose of ozone. The results indicate that senescent rats respond differently than juvenile and adult rats to lung injury.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (3) ◽  
pp. E266-E270 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Armbrecht ◽  
L. R. Forte ◽  
B. P. Halloran

The purpose of this study was to determine how serum 1,25(OH)2D, renal production of [3H]1,25(OH)2D and [3H]24,25(OH)2D from [3H]25(OH)D, and serum IPTH change with age and dietary Ca restriction. Male Fischer 344 rats aged 3, 13, and 25 mo were placed on either a high-Ca (1.2%) or low-Ca (0.02%) vitamin D-replete diet. After 4 wk, serum was collected, and renal conversion of [3H]25(OH)D3 to [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 and [3H]24,25(OH)2D3 was measured in vitro using isolated renal cortical slices. Serum 1,25(OH)2D and renal [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 production were markedly reduced in 13- and 25-mo-old rats compared with 3-mo-old rats fed the low-Ca diet. In 3-mo-old rats, feeding the low-Ca diet increased serum 1,25(OH)2D by 18-fold and renal [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 production by threefold compared with feeding the high-Ca diet. In 25-mo-old rats, dietary Ca had no effect on these parameters. Renal [3H]24,25(OH)2D3 production was increased in the 13- and 25-mo-old rats compared with the 3-mo-old rats. Serum IPTH increased with age regardless of diet and was significantly increased by the low-Ca diet in 3-mo but not in 13- or 25-mo-old rats. The changes in serum 1,25(OH)2D and renal [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 production observed in this study may account for the previously observed age-related decline in intestinal Ca absorption in this animal model.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (2) ◽  
pp. G201-G204 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Wimonwatwatee ◽  
A. R. Heydari ◽  
W. T. Wu ◽  
A. Richardson

The effect of age on the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC 4.1.1.32) was studied using hepatocytes isolated from 6-, 15-, and 26-mo-old-male Fischer 344 rats fasted for 12 h. The activity of PEPCK in hepatocyte extracts decreased 40-50% (P < 0.05) between 6 and 26 mo of age. The age-related decrease in PEPCK activity was paralleled by a similar decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of PEPCK mRNA. Thus the decrease in PEPCK activity appears to arise from a decrease in level of the PEPCK transcript available for translation. The stability, i.e., half-life of PEPCK mRNA in hepatocytes isolated from 6- and 26-mo-old rats was similar; however, the nuclear transcription of PEPCK by hepatocytes isolated from 26-mo-old rats was 44% lower (P < 0.05) than the nuclear transcription of PEPCK by hepatocytes isolated from 6-mo-old rats. Thus the age-related decline in PEPCK mRNA levels in the liver of fasted rats appears to arise from a decrease in the transcription of PEPCK. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the activity and mRNA level of PEPCK also was observed with age in kidney tissue isolated from rats fasted for 12 h.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (1) ◽  
pp. G41-G47 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Armbrecht ◽  
M. A. Boltz ◽  
V. B. Kumar

The plasma membrane Ca pump of intestinal absorptive cells has been proposed as a component in the vitamin D-dependent active transport of Ca. Because intestinal Ca transport declines with age, the purpose of this study was to determine if changes in Ca pump expression parallel this decline. Intestinal levels of the plasma membrane Ca pump protein were measured by Western blotting in Fischer 344 rats that were 2, 12, and 24 mo of age. Ca pump protein levels declined by 90% in the duodenum and 65% in the ileum between 2 and 12 mo of age, the time during which active Ca transport declines markedly. The effect of age on the induction of the Ca pump by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3], the active metabolite of vitamin D, was determined. Rats were made deficient in 1,25(OH)2D3 by feeding a high-strontium diet, and they were then dosed with 1,25(OH)2D3 or vehicle at 48, 24, and 6 h. In 12-mo-old rats 1,25(OH)2D3 induced duodenal Ca pump protein to only 39% and active Ca transport to 33% of that seen in 2-mo-old animals. These studies demonstrate that decreased expression of the plasma membrane Ca pump protein, along with calbindin protein, parallels the decline in intestinal Ca transport and its response to 1,25(OH)2D3 with age.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (6) ◽  
pp. F1100-F1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asghar ◽  
Tahir Hussain ◽  
Mustafa F. Lokhandwala

Previously, we reported that natriuretic and diuretic response to dopamine is diminished in old Fischer 344 rats, which is due to higher basal protein kinase C (PKC) activity and hyperphosphorylation of Na-K-ATPase in the proximal tubules (PTs) of old rats. The present study was conducted to determine whether higher PKC activity could be due to altered expression of some of the PKC isoforms in the superficial cortex (rich in PTs) of old rats. Fluorimetric measurement showed almost twofold increase in the PKC activities in homogenates and membranes of old (24 mo) compared with adult (6 mo) rats. Interestingly, in the basal state PKC-βI was overexpressed in the membranes, whereas PKC-δ expression was increased in the cytosol of old compared with adult rats. Treatment of the cortical slices with either SKF-38393, a D1-like agonist, or PDBu, a direct activator of PKC, caused translocation of PKC-βI from cytosol to membranes in adult but not in old rats. Both of these drugs caused translocation of PKC-δ from membranes to cytosol in adult but not in old rats. These drugs had no effect on translocation of PKC-ζ in both adult and old rats. Both PKC-βI and -δ coimmunoprecipiated with α1-subunit of Na-K-ATPase in adult and old rats. These observations suggest that both SKF-38393 and PDBu differentially regulate PKC-βI and -δ in adult but not in old rats. Also, PKC-βI and -δ seem to interact with Na-K-ATPase in these animals. The overexpression of both PKC-βI and -δ in old rats could be responsible for a higher basal PKC activity, which causes the hyperphosphorylation of Na-K-ATPase and contributes to the diminished inhibition of Na-K-ATPase activity by dopamine in old rats.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. R897-R903 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Schutzer ◽  
John F. Reed ◽  
Michael Bliziotes ◽  
Scott L. Mader

The age-related decline in β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR)-mediated vasorelaxation is associated with desensitization of β-ARs without significant downregulation. The primary mode of this homologous β-AR desensitization, in general, is via G protein receptor kinases (GRK). Therefore, we hypothesize that age-related changes in GRKs are causative to this etiology in rat aorta. Herein, we investigate the activity and cellular distribution (cytoplasmic vs. membrane) of several GRK isoforms and β-arrestin proteins. GRK activity was assessed in extracts from aortic tissue of 6-wk, 6-mo, 12-mo, and 24-mo-old male Fischer-344 rats using a rhodopsin phosphorylation assay. We also performed immunoblots on lysates from aorta with specific antibodies to GRK-2, -3, -5, and β-arrestin-1. Results show an age-related increase in GRK activity. Furthermore, expression of GRK-2 (cytoplasmic and membrane), GRK-3 (cytoplasmic and membrane), and β-arrestin (soluble) increased with advancing age, whereas GRK-5 (membrane) expression remained unchanged. These results suggest that age is associated with increased activity and expression of specific GRKs. This increase likely results in enhanced phosphorylation and desensitization of β-ARs. These biochemical changes are consistent with observed aging physiology.


1986 ◽  
Vol 164 (4) ◽  
pp. 1171-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Hariri ◽  
D R Alonso ◽  
D P Hajjar ◽  
D Coletti ◽  
M E Weksler

Old Fischer 344 rats are more susceptible to vascular lesions after arterial endothelial injury than are young animals. Thus, 20-26-mo-old Fischer 344 rats developed greater and more persistent intimal proliferative lesions than did 2-5-mo-old rats after aortic endothelial denudation. 3 d after deendothelialization, intimal thickness was increased two-fold in both old and young animals. However, 14 d after endothelial injury, intimal thickness had increased nearly five times in old animals, but had regressed to normal in young animals. Intimal thickness of young aortic grafts transplanted into young recipients did not differ significantly from adjacent host aorta or autotransplanted aortic segments 6 wk after surgery. In contrast, intimal thickness of old grafts transplanted into young recipients was eight times greater than adjacent young host aorta 6 wk after surgery. The density of cell nuclei in the intima of old grafts was also much greater than that in young grafts. Thus, in two experimental models of vascular injury, old rats have consistently had greater myointimal hyperplasia than young rats. The increased proliferative response of aortic smooth muscle cells after vascular injury of old animals may contribute to the increased prevalence of vascular disease with age.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (3) ◽  
pp. H1015-H1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Adler ◽  
Eric Messina ◽  
Ben Sherman ◽  
Zipping Wang ◽  
Harer Huang ◽  
...  

We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the control of myocardial O2 consumption in Fischer 344 rats. In Fischer rats at 4, 14, and 23 mo of age, we examined cardiac function using echocardiography, the regulation of cardiac O2 consumption in vitro, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein levels, and potential mechanisms that regulate superoxide. Aging was associated with a reduced ejection fraction [from 75 ± 2%at4moto66 ± 3% ( P < 0.05) at 23 mo] and an increased cardiac diastolic volume [from 0.60 ± 0.04 to 1.00 ± 0.10 ml ( P < 0.01)] and heart weight (from 0.70 ± 0.02 to 0.90 ± 0.02 g). The NO-mediated control of cardiac O2 consumption by bradykinin or enalaprilat was not different between 4 mo (36 ± 2 or 34 ± 3%) and 14 mo (29 ± 1 or 25 ± 3%) but markedly ( P < 0.05) reduced in 23-mo-old Fischer rats (15 ± 3 or 7 ± 2%). The response to the NO donor S-nitroso- N-acetyl penicillamine was not different across groups (35%, 35%, and 44%). Interestingly, the eNOS protein level was not different at 4, 14, and 23 mo. The addition of tempol (1 mmol/l) to the tissue bath eliminated the depression in the control of cardiac O2 consumption by bradykinin (25 ± 3%) or enalaprilat (28 ± 3%) in 23-mo-old Fischer rats. We next examined the levels of enzymes involved in the production and breakdown of superoxide. The expression of Mn SOD, Cu/Zn SOD, extracellular SOD, and p67phox, however, did not differ between 4- and 23-mo-old rats. Importantly, there was a marked increase in gp91phox, and apocynin restored the defect in NO-dependent control of cardiac O2 consumption at 23 mo to that seen in 4-mo-old rats, identifying the role of NADPH oxidase. Thus increased biological activity of superoxide and not decreases in the enzyme that produces NO are responsible for the altered control of cardiac O2 consumption by NO in 23-mo-old Fischer rats. Increased oxidant stress in aging, by decreasing NO bioavailability, may contribute not only to changes in myocardial function but also to altered regulation of vascular tone and the progression of cardiac or vascular disease.


1992 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 1932-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Nasrullah ◽  
R. S. Mazzeo

The present investigation examined the extent to which 15 wk of endurance training could influence immune function in young, middle-aged, and older animals. Forty-eight male Fischer 344 rats were divided into trained and untrained groups. Training consisted of treadmill running at 75% maximal running capacity for 1 h/day, 5 days/wk, for 15 wk. Animals were killed at 8, 17, and 27 mo, at which time splenocytes were isolated. The capacity for lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen (concanavalin A, ConA), interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and cytolytic activity against YAC-1 target cells was determined. ConA-induced proliferation declined significantly with age. Training suppressed the proliferative response in the young (-41%) and middle-aged animals (-27%) compared with the age-matched controls; however, training improved this response (+58%) in the older group. IL-2 production followed a pattern similar to that for mitogen-induced proliferation, such that production declined with age and was reduced with training in young and middle-aged animals but was significantly more improved in the older animals than in age-matched controls. The ability to lyse target cells, measured as percent cytotoxicity, declined steadily with advancing age at all effector-to-target cell ratios tested: 52, 14, and -16% for 8-, 17-, and 27-mo-old rats, respectively. It was concluded that the capacity for ConA-induced splenocyte proliferation, IL-2 production, and cytolytic activity declines significantly with advancing age. Furthermore, 15 wk of endurance training suppressed proliferation and IL-2 production in young animals but improved these responses in older animals. Training had no effect on cytolytic activity.


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