A Biological Model of Accelerated Senescence: II. Age-Related Changes in the Number of Developing Male Germ Cells and Sertoli Cells in the Gonads of Senescence-Accelerated Mice

It was shown that in immature three- to four-week-old mice prone to accelerated senescence (SAMP1 strain), the number of spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocytes, and circular spermatids exceeded that in mice resistant to accelerated senescence (SAMR1 strain) by more than two times. Differences were found in the pattern of age-related changes in the number of meiotic and postmeiotic cells in the sexually mature SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice. In the gonads of SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice, the number of Sertoli cells was unstable.     

Senescence-Accelerated Mouse (SAM) with Special References to Neurodegeneration Models,SAMP8 and SAMP10 Mice

The SAM strains, a group of related inbred strains consisting of senescence-prone inbred strains (SAMP) and senescence-resistant inbred strains (SAMR), have been successfully developed by selective inbreeding of the AKR/J strain of mice donated by the Jackson laboratory in 1968. The characteristic feature of aging common to the SAMP and SAMR is accelerated senescence and normal aging, respectively. Furthermore, SAMP and SAMR strains of mice manifest various pathobiological phenotypes spontaneously. Among SAMP strains, SAMP8 and SAMP10 mice show age-related behavioral deterioration such as deficits in learning and memory, emotional disorders (reduced anxiety-like behavior and depressive behavior) and altered circadian rhythm associated with certain pathological, biochemical and pharmacological changes. Here, the previous and recent literature on SAM mice are reviewed with an emphasis on SAMP8 and SAMP10 mice. A spontaneous model like SAM with distinct advantages over the gene-modified model is hoped by investigators to be used more widely as a biogerontological resource to explore the etiopathogenesis of accelerated senescence and neurodegenerative disorders.     

The Senescence-accelerated Mouse (SAM): A Higher Oxidative Stress and Age-dependent Degenerative Diseases Model

The SAM strain of mice is actually a group of related inbred strains consisting of a series of SAMP (accelerated senescence-prone) and SAMR (accelerated senescence-resistant) strains. Compared with the SAMR strains, the SAMP strains show a more accelerated senescence process, a shorter lifespan, and an earlier onset and more rapid progress of age-associated pathological phenotypes similar to human geriatric disorders. The higher oxidative stress status observed in SAMP mice is partly caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, and may be a cause of this senescence acceleration and age-dependent alterations in cell structure and function. Based on our recent observations, we discuss a possible mechanism for mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in the excessive production of reactive oxygen species, and a role for the hyperoxidative stress status in neurodegeneration in SAMP mice. These SAM strains can serve as a useful tool to understand the cellular mechanisms of age-dependent degeneration, and to develop clinical interventions. Special issue article in honor of Dr. Akitane Mori.     

Mechanisms of aging in senescence-accelerated mice

Background  

Progressive neurological dysfunction is a key aspect of human aging. Because of underlying differences in the aging of mice and humans, useful mouse models have been difficult to obtain and study. We have used gene-expression analysis and polymorphism screening to study molecular senescence of the retina and hippocampus in two rare inbred mouse models of accelerated neurological senescence (SAMP8 and SAMP10) that closely mimic human neurological aging, and in a related normal strain (SAMR1) and an unrelated normal strain (C57BL/6J).     

Regulation of the p19Arf/p53 pathway by histone acetylation underlies neural stem cell behavior in senescence‐prone SAMP8 mice

Brain aging is associated with increased neurodegeneration and reduced neurogenesis. B1/neural stem cells (B1‐NSCs) of the mouse subependymal zone (SEZ) support the ongoing production of olfactory bulb interneurons, but their neurogenic potential is progressively reduced as mice age. Although age‐related changes in B1‐NSCs may result from increased expression of tumor suppressor proteins, accumulation of DNA damage, metabolic alterations, and microenvironmental or systemic changes, the ultimate causes remain unclear. Senescence‐accelerated‐prone mice (SAMP8) relative to senescence‐accelerated‐resistant mice (SAMR1) exhibit signs of hastened senescence and can be used as a model for the study of aging. We have found that the B1‐NSC compartment is transiently expanded in young SAMP8 relative to SAMR1 mice, resulting in disturbed cytoarchitecture of the SEZ, B1‐NSC hyperproliferation, and higher yields of primary neurospheres. These unusual features are, however, accompanied by premature loss of B1‐NSCs. Moreover, SAMP8 neurospheres lack self‐renewal and enter p53‐dependent senescence after only two passages. Interestingly, in vitro senescence of SAMP8 cells could be prevented by inhibition of histone acetyltransferases and mimicked in SAMR1 cells by inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC). Our data indicate that expression of the tumor suppressor p19, but not of p16, is increased in SAMP8 neurospheres, as well as in SAMR1 neurospheres upon HDAC inhibition, and suggest that the SAMP8 phenotype may, at least in part, be due to changes in chromatin status. Interestingly, acute HDAC inhibition in vivo resulted in changes in the SEZ of SAMR1 mice that resembled those found in young SAMP8 mice.     

Accelerated aging exacerbates a pre‐existing pathology in a tau transgenic mouse model

Age is a critical factor in the prevalence of tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. To observe how an aging phenotype interacts with and affects the pathological intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau, the tauopathy mouse model pR5 (expressing P301L mutant human tau) was back‐crossed more than ten times onto a senescence‐accelerated SAMP8 background to establish the new strain, SApT. Unlike SAMP8 mice, pR5 mice are characterized by a robust tau pathology particularly in the amygdala and hippocampus. Analysis of age‐matched SApT mice revealed that pathological tau phosphorylation was increased in these brain regions compared to those in the parental pR5 strain. Moreover, as revealed by immunohistochemistry, phosphorylation of critical tau phospho‐epitopes (P‐Ser202/P‐Ser205 and P‐Ser235) was significantly increased in the amygdala of SApT mice in an age‐dependent manner, suggesting an age‐associated effect of tau phosphorylation. Anxiety tests revealed that the older cohort of SApT mice (10 months vs. 8 months) exhibited a behavioural pattern similar to that observed for age‐matched tau transgenic pR5 mice and not the SAMP8 parental mice. Learning and memory, however, appeared to be governed by the accelerated aging background of the SAMP8 strain, as at both ages investigated, SAMP8 and SApT mice showed a decreased learning capacity compared to pR5 mice. We therefore conclude that accelerated aging exacerbates pathological tau phosphorylation, leading to changes in normal behaviour. These findings further suggest that SApT mice may be a useful novel model in which to study the role of a complex geriatric phenotype in tauopathy.     

Age-related changes in blood pressure in the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM): aged SAMP1 mice manifest hypertensive vascular disease

Age-related changes in systolic blood pressure were assessed, using the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) model for aging research with strains SAMR1, SAMP1, and SAMP8. Each of the strains manifested a characteristic change in blood pressure with age. The SAMR1 strain, with normal aging, did not have chronologic changes from 2 to 27 months of age. The SAMP1 strain, with accelerated senescence, had a significant increase in blood pressure with age, and some (8 of 39) mice manifested hypertensive vascular disease characterized by high blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and arteriolar fibrinoid necrosis at 11 to 14 months of age. The gradual increase in blood pressure after 8 to 10 months was considered to be preceded by progressive renal changes, from glomerulonephritis to contraction of the kidney, suggesting that the high blood pressure in the SAMP1 strain was of renal origin. Blood pressure in the SAMP8 strain, with age-related deficits in learning and memory, gradually decreased after 5 to 7 months of age, and was suggested to be due to the astrogliotic changes in response to spongiform degeneration in the medulla oblongata at 11 to 14 and 15 to 18 months of age.     

Trimethylamine‐N‐oxide promotes brain aging and cognitive impairment in mice

Gut microbiota can influence the aging process and may modulate aging‐related changes in cognitive function. Trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO), a metabolite of intestinal flora, has been shown to be closely associated with cardiovascular disease and other diseases. However, the relationship between TMAO and aging, especially brain aging, has not been fully elucidated. To explore the relationship between TMAO and brain aging, we analysed the plasma levels of TMAO in both humans and mice and administered exogenous TMAO to 24‐week‐old senescence‐accelerated prone mouse strain 8 (SAMP8) and age‐matched senescence‐accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice for 16 weeks. We found that the plasma levels of TMAO increased in both the elderly and the aged mice. Compared with SAMR1‐control mice, SAMP8‐control mice exhibited a brain aging phenotype characterized by more senescent cells in the hippocampal CA3 region and cognitive dysfunction. Surprisingly, TMAO treatment increased the number of senescent cells, which were primarily neurons, and enhanced the mitochondrial impairments and superoxide production. Moreover, we observed that TMAO treatment increased synaptic damage and reduced the expression levels of synaptic plasticity‐related proteins by inhibiting the mTOR signalling pathway, which induces and aggravates aging‐related cognitive dysfunction in SAMR1 and SAMP8 mice, respectively. Our findings suggested that TMAO could induce brain aging and age‐related cognitive dysfunction in SAMR1 mice and aggravate the cerebral aging process of SAMP8 mice, which might provide new insight into the effects of intestinal microbiota on the brain aging process and help to delay senescence by regulating intestinal flora metabolites.     

Diabetes exacerbates amyloid and neurovascular pathology in aging‐accelerated mice

Mounting evidence supports a link between diabetes, cognitive dysfunction, and aging. However, the physiological mechanisms by which diabetes impacts brain function and cognition are not fully understood. To determine how diabetes contributes to cognitive dysfunction and age‐associated pathology, we used streptozotocin to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D) in senescence‐accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) and senescence‐resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. Contextual fear conditioning demonstrated that T1D resulted in the development of cognitive deficits in SAMR1 mice similar to those seen in age‐matched, nondiabetic SAMP8 mice. No further cognitive deficits were observed when the SAMP8 mice were made diabetic. T1D dramatically increased Aβ and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and to a lesser extent in age‐matched SAMR1 mice. Further analysis revealed aggregated Aβ within astrocyte processes surrounding vessels. Western blot analyses from T1D SAMP8 mice showed elevated amyloid precursor protein processing and protein glycation along with increased inflammation. T1D elevated tau phosphorylation in the SAMR1 mice but did not further increase it in the SAMP8 mice where it was already significantly higher. These data suggest that aberrant glucose metabolism potentiates the aging phenotype in old mice and contributes to early stage central nervous system pathology in younger animals.     

Spontaneous loss-of-function mutations of the 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase gene in mice and exploration of the possible implication of the gene in senescence

8-Oxoguanine is one of the major premutagenic oxidative base legions in vivo and is suspected to play a crucial role in various pathophysiological processes, such as cancer and aging. Mammalian 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) is thought to play a major role in the removal of 8-oxoguanine adducts in vivo. We have identified several inbred mouse strains with a spontaneous mutation, OGG1-R336H or double mutations, OGG1-R304W/R336H. R304W mutation caused a complete loss of OGG1 activity, while the R336H mutation led to disruption of nuclear localization of the enzyme although the activity remained normal. Among the double mutants was SAMP1, which exhibits accelerated senescence and short lifespan. We assessed the possible implication of the mutant OGG1 and 8-oxoguanine in aging utilizing SAMP1 mice. SAMP1 retained 1.5- to 1.9-fold increase in 8-oxoguanine level of hepatic nuclear DNA as compared with normal mice, until at least 12 months of age. A genetic association study, however, indicated that the mutant Ogg1 gene per se is not responsible for the accelerated senescence and short lifespan of SAMP1. Mutant OGG1 may be associated with pathologic conditions in other mouse strains.     

Scrapie infection activates the replication of ecotropic, xenotropic, and polytropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) in brains and spinal cords of senescence-accelerated mice: implication of MuLV in progression of scrapie pathogenesis

Senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8) have a short life span, whereas SAMR1 mice are resistant to accelerated senescence. Previously it has been reported that the Akv strain of ecotropic murine leukemia virus (E-MuLV) was detected in brains of SAMP8 mice but not in brains of SAMR1 mice. In order to determine the change of MuLV levels following scrapie infection, we analyzed the E-MuLV titer and the RNA expression levels of E-MuLV, xenotropic MuLV, and polytropic MuLV in brains and spinal cords of scrapie-infected SAM mice. The expression levels of the 3 types of MuLV were increased in scrapie-infected mice compared to control mice; E-MuLV expression was detected in infected SAMR1 mice, but only in the terminal stage of scrapie disease. We also examined incubation periods and the levels of PrPSc in scrapie-infected SAMR1 (sR1) and SAMP8 (sP8) mice. We confirmed that the incubation period was shorter in sP8 (210+/-5 days) compared to sR1 (235+/-10 days) after intraperitoneal injection. The levels of PrPSc in sP8 were significantly greater than sR1 at 210+/-5 days, but levels of PrPSc at the terminal stage of scrapie in both SAM strains were virtually identical. These results show the activation of MuLV expression by scrapie infection and suggest acceleration of the progression of scrapie pathogenesis by MuLV.     

Identification of differentially expressed genes in senescence-accelerated mouse testes by suppression subtractive hybridization analysis

Senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) strains constitute a model of accelerated senescence coupled with a short lifespan and the early development of various age-related disorders. To identify differential gene expression in testes between senescence-accelerated SAMP1 and control SAMR1 mice, we performed suppression subtractive hybridization. We observed that the expression of three genes related to cell proliferation (myosin regulatory light chain B, aldolase 1A isoform, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc) were upregulated and four genes implicated in spermatogenesis were downregulated in SAMP1 mice. Asb-8, a member of ankyrin repeat-containing proteins, was abundantly expressed in the testes and downregulated in SAMP1. The other three downregulated genes (germ cell-specific gene 1, T-complex polypeptide 1b, and activator of cAMP responsive element modulator in testis) have been reported to regulate late-stage spermatogenesis. These gene expression profiles might explain the findings of early testicular maturation and rapid decline in the ability to produce spermatozoa with advancing age in SAMP1 mice.     

Proliferative Senescence of Embryo Fibroblasts of Japanese Senescence Accelerated Mice is Accompanied by Parallel Decreasing of the Response to Various Growth Factors

The Japanese senescence accelerated mice (SAM) are a group of the low-longevity mouse lines and represent a new convenient model for studying the senescence process. We studied the proliferation of embryo fibroblasts of SAMP1 and SAMR1 mouse lines. It was shown that fibroblasts of the shortest longevity line SAMP1 have a markedly decreased proliferative potential of the mean 8.7 population doublings, whereas fibroblasts of a relatively high-longevity line SAMR1 have an average proliferative potential of 12.3 doublings. The fibroblast senescence in both lines is accompanied by simultaneous lowering of the cell proliferative response to the blood serum, epidermal, fibroblast, and platelet-derived growth factors. At initial stages of the cell culture growth, lines SAMP1 and SAMR1 exhibit the same reactions to growth factors, but already beginning from the fifth doubling, the SAMP1 cell response is sharply decreased as compared with SAMR1. Lowering of the proliferative reaction is accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of tyrosine in the cell proteins responsible for the mitogenic reaction. Thus, the parallel decrease in the proliferative response to different growth factors during fibroblast senescence is most likely due to the emergence of a regulatory block at common stages of the mitogenic signal transduction.     

Proliferative senescence of embryo fibroblasts of Japanese senescence accelerated mice (SAM) is accompanied by parallel decreasing of response to various growth factors

The Japanese senescence accelerated mice (SAM) are a group of the low-longevity mouse lines and represent a new convenient model for studying the senescence process. We studied the proliferation of embryo fibroblasts of SAMP1 and SAMR1 mouse lines. It was shown that fibroblasts of the shortest longevity line SAMP1 have a markedly decreased proliferative potential of the mean 8.7 population doublings, whereas fibroblasts of a relatively high-longevity line SAMR1 have an average proliferative potential of 12.3 doublings. The fibroblast senescence in both lines is accompanied by a simultaneous lowering of the cell proliferative response to the blood serum, epidermal, fibroblast, and platelet-derived growth factors. At initial stages of the cell culture growth, lines SAMP1 and SAMR1 exhibit the same reactions to growth factors, but already beginning from the fifth doubling, the SAMP1 cell response is sharply decreased as compared with SAMR1. Lowering the proliferative reaction is accompanied by a decreased phosphorylation of tyrosine in the cell proteins responsible for mitogenic reaction. Thus, the parallel decrease of proliferative response to different growth factors during fibroblast senescence is most likely due the emergence of a regulatory block at common stages of the mitogenic signal transduction.     

Proteomic analysis of specific brain proteins in aged SAMP8 mice treated with alpha-lipoic acid: implications for aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders

Free radical-mediated damage to neuronal membrane components has been implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aging. The senescence accelerated prone mouse strain 8 (SAMP8) exhibits age-related deterioration in memory and learning along with increased oxidative markers. Therefore, SAMP8 is a suitable model to study brain aging and, since aging is the major risk factor for AD and SAMP8 exhibits many of the biochemical findings of AD, perhaps as a model for and the early phase of AD. Our previous studies reported higher oxidative stress markers in brains of 12-month-old SAMP8 mice when compared to that of 4-month-old SAMP8 mice. Further, we have previously shown that injecting the mice with alpha-lipoic acid (LA) reversed brain lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, as well as the learning and memory impairments in SAMP8 mice. Recently, we reported the use of proteomics to identify proteins that are expressed differently and/or modified oxidatively in aged SAMP8 brains. In order to understand how LA reverses the learning and memory deficits of aged SAMP8 mice, in the current study, we used proteomics to compare the expression levels and specific carbonyl levels of proteins in brains from 12-month-old SAMP8 mice treated or not treated with LA. We found that the expressions of the three brain proteins (neurofilament triplet L protein, alpha-enolase, and ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase) were increased significantly and that the specific carbonyl levels of the three brain proteins (lactate dehydrogenase B, dihydropyrimidinase-like protein 2, and alpha-enolase) were significantly decreased in the aged SAMP8 mice treated with LA. These findings suggest that the improved learning and memory observed in LA-injected SAMP8 mice may be related to the restoration of the normal condition of specific proteins in aged SAMP8 mouse brain. Moreover, our current study implicates neurofilament triplet L protein, alpha-enolase, ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase B, and dihydropyrimidinase-like protein 2 in process associated with learning and memory of SAMP8 mice.     

加速衰老小鼠脑组织中的衰老相关基因的表达

从分子水平上研究衰老对大脑的影响有助于揭示机体衰老的分子机理 ,也有助于揭示衰老相关性脑功能异常的发生过程。本研究应用DDRT PCR方法研究衰老相关基因在SAM (Senescence acceleratedmouse)小鼠脑组织中表达的变化情况。在SAMR1TA、SAMP8/Ta、SAMP1 0 /Ta三个品系中 ,通过比较不同鼠龄SAMP1 0 /Ta (2、 4、 1 2、 1 8月龄 )的基因表达情况 ,发现在 4月龄和 1 2月龄分别有一个差异表达片段 ;对不同鼠龄的SAMP8/Ta (2、 4、 1 1月龄 )经差显比较 ,发现在 2月龄和 1 1月龄各有一差异表达片段。在不同品系的比较中发现了 1 6个差异性片段 ,分别属于SAMP1 0 /Ta (3个 )、SAMP8/Ta (6个 )和SAMR1TA (7个 )。测序结果经检索显示 ,它们分别与下列基因转录产物同源 :热休克识别蛋白 70、ATP依赖性线粒体RNA螺旋酶、DleumRNA、小鼠X染色体RP2 3 334C4克隆DNA序列、还原型辅酶Q 细胞色素c还原酶复合物 7 2kD亚单位、 6 0S核糖体蛋白L2 1、FIS、苯基烷基胺钙离子拮抗物结合蛋白、岩藻糖基转移酶 9、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子家族受体α1、内切核酸酶 /逆转录酶、PER1蛋白相关超级融原核蛋白、中心体蛋白CG NAP、转铁蛋白重链基因、巢蛋白 2基因、DNA依赖性蛋白激酶催化亚单位基因 prkdc     

Nanoindentation and whole-bone bending estimates of material properties in bones from the senescence accelerated mouse SAMP6

The senescence accelerated mouse, strain P6 (SAMP6) has been described as a model of senile osteoporosis. Recent results from whole-bone bending tests indicate that, despite having increased moments of inertia, SAMP6 long bones are weak and brittle compared to SAMR1 controls. In the current study we determined material properties of cortical bone from SAMP6 and SAMR1 femora and tibiae by two methods-nanoindentation and whole-bone bending tests combined with simple beam theory. We hypothesized that: (1) SAMP6 mice have reduced cortical bone material properties compared to SAMR1 controls; and (2) modulus estimated from whole-bone bending tests correlates well with modulus determined by nanoindentation. Results from nanoindentation indicated that modulus and hardness are approximately 10% higher in SAMP6 mice compared to SAMR1 controls (p<0.001), a finding consistent with slightly higher mineralization in SAMP6 bones. Despite their superior elastic and hardness properties, the bending failure properties of SAMP6 bones were markedly inferior--ultimate stress and toughness were reduced by 40% and 60%, respectively (p<0.001). Comparisons between the two testing methods for determining modulus showed poor agreement. Modulus estimated from whole-bone bending tests was not correlated with modulus determined by nanoindentation (p=0.054; r2=0.03) and the absolute values differed by a factor of five between the two methods (bending [wet], 6GPa; nanoindentation [dry], 31GPa). Moreover, relative differences between groups were inconsistent between the two methods. We conclude: (1) cortical bone from the SAMP6 mouse has increased modulus and hardness but poor material strength and toughness, which underscores the relevance of the SAMP6 mouse for studies of skeletal fragility, and (2) values of elastic modulus of bone tissue estimated using simple beam theory and bending tests of mouse femora and tibiae are inaccurate and should be interpreted with caution.     

Estimation of the frequencies of induced mutations in spermatogenic cells of senescence-accelerated prone mice of the SAMP1 strain

The results obtained in this work demonstrate the dynamics of cytogenetic changes of spermatogenic cells in senescence-accelerated prone mice, strain SAMP1, after a single exposure to a chemical mutagen, dipin, at a genetically active dose of 30 mg/kg. In the time interval between days 3 and 28 the frequency of induced spermatogonial micronuclei does not significantly exceed the level of spontaneous mutagenesis. The lack of an experimental effect of micronuclei in this time interval is probably a consequence of mitotic delay and (or) of the death of a considerable part of genetically defective cells in the spermatogonial compartment. Different stages of meiosis exhibit different chemical sensibilities: the yield of round spermatids with micronuclei is maximum after treatment of early primary spermatocytes (preleptotene-leptotene stage) with dipin. The high sensibility of preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes is confirmed by the sperm head shape abnormality assay. Chromosome damage caused by dipin in spermatogonial stem cells is irreversible, as evidenced by a sharp increase in the frequencies of spermatogonial and meiotic micronuclear aberrations within long periods after treatment. Increased genetic instability in the stem compartment does not lead to irreversible degradation of the system of development of male sex cells in senescence-accelerated SAMP1 mice.     

Genetic typing of the Senescence-Accelerated Mouse (SAM) strains with microsatellite markers

The Senescence-Accelerated Mouse (SAM) strains constitute a murine model of accelerated senescence originating from the ancestral AKR/J strains and consist of nine senescence-prone (SAMP) strains and four senescence-resistant (SAMR) strains. The chromosomes (Chrs) of the SAM strains were typed with 581 microsatellite markers amplified by PCR, and the fundamental genetic information of the SAM strains was obtained. One-third of the examined markers displayed polymorphism among the strains, and only two alleles were detected in almost all loci among the SAM and AKR/J strains. However, in 12 loci (5.6% of total 215 polymorphic markers), the third allele was detected among the SAM strains. The genetic typing and developmental history suggested that the SAM strains were related inbred strains developed by the accidental crossing between the AKR/J strain and other unknown strain(s). Comparison of the distribution of the loci in the SAMP and the SAMR series revealed notable differences in the four regions on Chrs 4, 14, 16, and 17. This indicated that some of these chromosomal sites might contain the genes responsible for accelerated senescence in the SAMP series. Received: 17 July 1998 / Accepted: 17 November 1998     

The effect of aging on the mineral status of female SAMP1 and SAMR1

The effect of aging on the status of macrominerals and trace elements in tissues was studied using two strains (SAMP1 and SAMR1) of senescence accelerated mouse. Two-month-old, 6-mo-old, and 10-mo-old female SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice were fed a commercial diet. Iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, and potassium concentrations in blood, liver, kidney, brain, and tibia of the mice were determined. The copper concentration in the brain was significantly increased with age in SAMP1 and SAMR1. In addition, the brain copper levels in SAMP1 were significantly higher than that in SAMR1 at respective ages. The calcium concentration in the kidney was significantly increased with age, but the copper and phosphorus concentrations significantly decreased with age in SAMP1 and SAMR1. In the liver of SAMR1, all minerals measured in this study except for sodium and potassium were significantly decreased with age. In addition, all mineral concentrations in the liver of 2-mo-old mice in SAMR1 except for copper and sodium were markedly higher than those in SAMP1 of the same age. These results suggest that the genetic factor is related to the age-associated mineral changes in tissues.