New research has uncovered significant age-related changes in lipid metabolism across different organs and sexes in mice, highlighting the accumulation of specific lipids produced by gut bacteria. The findings, which also include the identification of a gene causing sex differences in the kidneys, could improve our understanding of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and atherosclerosis.
By using a cutting-edge technique to take multiple snapshots of the mouse lipidome—all lipid metabolites present in a biological sample—the researchers found that BMP-type lipids increased with age in the kidneys, liver, lungs, muscles, spleen, and small intestine of the mice. These lipids play key roles in cholesterol transport and the breakdown of biomolecules within cellular recycling centers called lysosomes.
The researchers also found age-related sex differences in the mouse lipidome, particularly in the kidneys, with levels of the lipid metabolite galactosylceramide being higher in older male mice than in older females. This discrepancy was attributed to increased expression of thegene in male mice. Understanding sex-specific metabolic differences like this could shed light on susceptibility to age-related diseases in humans.
“Our research has comprehensively characterized the changes in the lipidome that occur in the mouse with aging. In doing so, we have created at atlas that will serve as an important global resource,” says Tsugawa. “Next, we must extend this type of study to the human lipidome and microbiome.” The findings highlight the importance of understanding how lipid metabolism changes as we age, and the potential of targeting the lipidome when designing treatments for age-related diseases.
Reference: “A lipidome landscape of aging in mice” by Hiroshi Tsugawa, Tomoaki Ishihara, Kota Ogasa, Seigo Iwanami, Aya Hori, Mikiko Takahashi, Yutaka Yamada, Naoko Satoh-Takayama, Hiroshi Ohno, Aki Minoda and Makoto Arita, 12 April 2024,SciTechDaily: Home of the best science and technology news since 1998. Keep up with the latest scitech news via email or social media.
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