Papers by Jane Tarry-adkins
Nucleic Acids Research, 2003
Telomeres, the non-coding sequences at the ends of chromosomes, in the absence of telomerase, pro... more Telomeres, the non-coding sequences at the ends of chromosomes, in the absence of telomerase, progressively shorten with each cell division. Shortening of telomeres can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate age-and gender-related changes in telomere length in the rat and to detect possible tissue-speci®c rates of telomere shortening. Changes with age in telomere lengths were assessed by Southern blotting in the kidney, pancreas, liver, lung and brain of male and female rats. We determined the percentage of telomeres in various molecular size regions rather than measuring the average telomere length. The latter was unable to detect telomere shortening in the tissues. The percentage of short telomeres increased with age in the kidney, liver, pancreas and lung of both males and females, but not in the brain. Males had shorter telomeres than females in all organs analysed except the brain, where the lengths were similar. These ®ndings indicate that telomeres shorten in the rat kidney, liver, pancreas and the lung in an age-dependent manner. These data also provide a novel mechanism for the gender-related differences in lifespan and suggest a tissue-speci®c regulation of telomere length during development and ageing in the rat.
AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2007
The FASEB Journal, 2013
Low birth weight and accelerated postnatal growth lead to increased risk of cardiovascular diseas... more Low birth weight and accelerated postnatal growth lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We reported previously that rats exposed to a low-protein diet in utero and postnatal catch-up growth (recuperated) develop metabolic dysfunction and have reduced life span. Here we explored the hypothesis that cardiac oxidative and nitrosative stress leading to DNA damage and accelerated cellular aging could contribute to these phenotypes. Recuperated animals had a low birth weight (P<0.001) but caught up in weight to controls during lactation. At weaning, recuperated cardiac tissue had increased (P<0.05) protein nitrotyrosination and DNA single-stranded breaks. This condition was preceded by increased expression of DNA damage repair molecules 8-oxoguanine-DNA-glycosylase-1, nei-endonuclease-VIIIlike, X-ray-repair-complementing-defective-repair-1, and Nthl endonuclease III-like-1 on d 3. These differences were maintained on d 22 and became more pronounced in the case of 8-oxoguanine-DNA-glycosylase-1 and neiendonuclease-VIII-like. This was accompanied by increases in xanthine oxidase (P<0.001) and NADPH oxidase (P<0.05), major sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The detrimental effects of increased ROS in recuperated offspring may be exaggerated at 22 d by reductions (P<0.001) in the antioxidant enzymes peroxiredoxin-3 and CuZn-superoxide-dismutase. We conclude that poor fetal nutrition followed by accelerated postnatal growth results in increased cardiac nitrosative and oxidative-stress and DNA damage, which could contribute to age-associated disease risk.- -Adkins, J. L., Martin-Gronert, M. S., Fernandez-Twinn, D. S., Hargreaves, I., Alfaradhi, M. Z., Land, J. M., Aiken, C. E., Ozanne, S. E. Poor maternal nutrition followed by accelerated postnatal growth leads to alterations in DNA damage and repair, oxidative and nitrosative stress and oxidative defense capacity in rat heart. FASEB J. 27, 379 -390 (2013). www.fasebj.org
The FASEB Journal, 2013
Early life exposure to adverse environments can lead to a variety of metabolic and cardiovascular... more Early life exposure to adverse environments can lead to a variety of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in offspring. We hypothesize that female reproductive function may also be affected, with subsequent implications for fertility. We used an established maternal low-protein model where animals are born small but undergo rapid postnatal catch-up growth by suckling a control-fed dam (recuperated offspring). Markers of oxidative stress and cellular aging in reproductive tract tissues were assessed at 3 and 6 mo of age. Recuperated offspring had lower birth weight than controls (P<0.01) but caught up during lactation. 4-Hydroxynonenal (4HNE; an indicator of oxidative stress) was increased in recuperated animals compared with controls in both ovaries and oviducts at 6 mo. At 3 and 6 mo, ovaries and oviducts of recuperated offspring had increased mitochondrial (mt)DNA copy number (P<0.01). By contrast, germ-line cells showed no difference in mtDNA copy number, suggesting they were protected from suboptimal maternal nutrition. Oviduct and somatic ovarian telomere length declined more rapidly with age in recuperated animals. This accelerated cellular aging was associated with a declined ovarian reserve in developmentally programmed animals. These findings have significant clinical implications in light of worldwide trends to delayed childbearing.-Aiken, C. E., -Adkins, J. L., Ozanne, S. E. Suboptimal nutrition in utero causes DNA damage and accelerated aging of the female reproductive tract. FASEB J. 27, 3959 -3965 (2013). www.fasebj.org
Endocrinology, Jan 27, 2015
Low birth-weight and rapid postnatal-growth increases the risk of developing insulin resistance a... more Low birth-weight and rapid postnatal-growth increases the risk of developing insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes in later life. However underlying mechanisms and potential intervention strategies are poorly defined. Here we demonstrate that male Wistar rats exposed to a low-protein diet in-utero that had a low birth weight but then underwent postnatal catch-up growth (recuperated offspring) had reductions in the insulin signaling proteins p110-β [13 ± 6% of controls] (p<0.001) and IRS-1 [39 ± 10% of controls] (p<0.05) in adipose tissue. These changes were not accompanied by any change in expression of the corresponding mRNAs, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation. Recuperated animals displayed evidence of a pro-inflammatory phenotype of their adipose tissue with increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) [139 ± 8%], (p<0.05) and interleukin-1β (IL1-β) [154 ± 16%], (p<0.05) that may contribute to the insulin signaling protein dysregulation. Post-weaning dietary supplementatio...
FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 2014
Low birth weight and rapid postnatal growth increases risk of cardiovascular-disease (CVD); howev... more Low birth weight and rapid postnatal growth increases risk of cardiovascular-disease (CVD); however, underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Previously, we demonstrated that rats exposed to a low-protein diet in utero that underwent postnatal catch-up growth (recuperated) have a programmed deficit in cardiac coenzyme Q (CoQ) that was associated with accelerated cardiac aging. It is unknown whether this deficit occurs in all tissues, including those that are clinically accessible. We investigated whether aortic and white blood cell (WBC) CoQ is programmed by suboptimal early nutrition and whether postweaning dietary supplementation with CoQ could prevent programmed accelerated aging. Recuperated male rats had reduced aortic CoQ [22 d (35±8.4%; P<0.05); 12 m (53±8.8%; P<0.05)], accelerated aortic telomere shortening (P<0.01), increased DNA damage (79±13% increase in nei-endonucleaseVIII-like-1), increased oxidative stress (458±67% increase in NAPDH-oxidase-4; P<0.001)...
Molecular Metabolism, 2013
Studies in human and animals have demonstrated that nutritionally induced low birth-weight follow... more Studies in human and animals have demonstrated that nutritionally induced low birth-weight followed by rapid postnatal growth increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Although the mechanisms underlying such nutritional programming are not clearly defined, increased oxidative-stress leading to accelerated cellular aging has been proposed to play an important role. Using an established rodent model of low birth-weight and catch-up growth, we show here that post-weaning dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q 10 , a key component of the electron transport chain and a potent antioxidant rescued many of the detrimental effects of nutritional programming on cardiac aging. This included a reduction in nitrosative and oxidative-stress, telomere shortening, DNA damage, cellular senescence and apoptosis. These findings demonstrate the potential for postnatal antioxidant intervention to reverse deleterious phenotypes of developmental programming and therefore provide insight into a potential translatable therapy to prevent cardiovascular disease in at risk humans.
The FASEB Journal, 2010
Low birth weight is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes ... more Low birth weight is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in later life. Good evidence indicates that the environment plays an important role in this relationship. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are defined poorly. Islets are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, and this condition combined with fibrosis is thought to be instrumental in T2D pathogenesis. Here we use our maternal low-protein (LP) rat model to determine the effect of early diet on oxidative stress and fibrosis in pancreatic islets of male offspring at 3 and 15 mo of age. Islet xanthine oxidase (XO) expression was increased in 15-mo LP offspring, which suggests increased oxidative-stress. Manganese superoxide-dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (antioxidant enzymes) were reduced significantly in LP offspring, which indicated impairment of oxidative defense. Expression of fibrosis markers collagen I and collagen III also increased in 15-mo LP offspring. Angiotensin II receptor type I (AT II R 1 ), induced by hyperglycemia and oxidative-stress, was significantly up-regulated in 15-mo LP offspring. Lipid peroxidation was also increased in 15-mo LP animals. We conclude that maternal protein restriction causes age-associated increased oxidative stress, impairment of oxidative defense, and fibrosis. These findings provide mechanisms by which suboptimal early nutrition can lead to T2D development later in life.- -Adkins, J. L., Chen, J.-H., Jones, R. H., Smith, N. H., Ozanne, S. E. Poor maternal nutrition leads to alterations in oxidative stress, antioxidant defense capacity, and markers of fibrosis in rat islets: potential underlying mechanisms for development of the diabetic phenotype in later life. FASEB J. 24, 2762-2771 (2010). www.fasebj.org Key Words: hyperglycemia ⅐ fibrosis ⅐ type 2 diabetes
The FASEB Journal, 2008
Low birth weight is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) in humans. Detrimental... more Low birth weight is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) in humans. Detrimental effects of low birth weight are amplified by rapid catch-up growth. Conversely, slow growth during lactation reduces CVD risk. Gestational protein restriction causes low birth weight, vascular dysfunction, and accelerated aging in rats. Atherosclerotic aortic tissue has shortened telomeres, and oxidative stress accelerates telomere shortening through generation of DNA single-strand breaks (ssbs). This study tested the hypothesis that maternal diet influences aortic telomere length through changes in DNA ssbs, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress. We used our models of gestational protein restriction followed by rapid catch-up growth (the recuperated group) and protein restriction during lactation (the postnatal low-protein [PLP] group). Southern blotting revealed fewer aortic DNA ssbs and subsequently fewer short telomeres (P&lt;0.05) in the PLP group. This result was associated with reduced (P&lt;0.01) 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative stress. PLP animals expressed increased (P&lt;0.01) manganese superoxide-dismutase, copper-zinc superoxide-dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-reductase. Age-dependent changes in antioxidant defense enzymes indicated more protection to oxidative stress in the PLP animals; conversely, recuperated animals demonstrated age-associated impairment of antioxidant defenses. We conclude that maternal diet has a major influence on aortic telomere length. This finding may provide a mechanistic link between early growth patterns and CVD.
The FASEB Journal, 2009
Low birth weight is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes ... more Low birth weight is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in later life. Good evidence indicates that the environment plays an important role in this relationship. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are defined poorly. Islets are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, and this condition combined with fibrosis is thought to be instrumental in T2D pathogenesis. Here we use our maternal low-protein (LP) rat model to determine the effect of early diet on oxidative stress and fibrosis in pancreatic islets of male offspring at 3 and 15 mo of age. Islet xanthine oxidase (XO) expression was increased in 15-mo LP offspring, which suggests increased oxidative-stress. Manganese superoxide-dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (antioxidant enzymes) were reduced significantly in LP offspring, which indicated impairment of oxidative defense. Expression of fibrosis markers collagen I and collagen III also increased in 15-mo LP offspring. Angiotensin II receptor type I (AT II R 1 ), induced by hyperglycemia and oxidative-stress, was significantly up-regulated in 15-mo LP offspring. Lipid peroxidation was also increased in 15-mo LP animals. We conclude that maternal protein restriction causes age-associated increased oxidative stress, impairment of oxidative defense, and fibrosis. These findings provide mechanisms by which suboptimal early nutrition can lead to T2D development later in life.- -Adkins, J. L., Chen, J.-H., Jones, R. H., Smith, N. H., Ozanne, S. E. Poor maternal nutrition leads to alterations in oxidative stress, antioxidant defense capacity, and markers of fibrosis in rat islets: potential underlying mechanisms for development of the diabetic phenotype in later life. FASEB J. 24, 2762-2771 (2010). www.fasebj.org Key Words: hyperglycemia ⅐ fibrosis ⅐ type 2 diabetes
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2014
Epidemiological studies, including those in identical twins, and in individuals in utero during p... more Epidemiological studies, including those in identical twins, and in individuals in utero during periods of famine have provided robust evidence of strong correlations between low birthweight and subsequent risk of disease in later life, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), CVD, and metabolic syndrome. These and studies in animal models have suggested that the early environment, especially early nutrition, plays an important role in mediating these associations. The concept of early life programming is therefore widely accepted; however the molecular mechanisms by which early environmental insults can have long-term effects on a cell and consequently the metabolism of an organism in later life, are relatively unclear. So far, these mechanisms include permanent structural changes to the organ caused by suboptimal levels of an important factor during a critical developmental period, changes in gene expression caused by epigenetic modifications (including DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNA) and permanent changes in cellular ageing. Many of the conditions associated with early-life nutrition are also those which have an age-associated aetiology. Recently, a common molecular mechanism in animal models of developmental programming and epidemiological studies has been development of oxidative stress and macromolecule damage, specifically DNA damage and telomere shortening. These are phenotypes common to accelerated cellular ageing. Thus, this review will encompass epidemiological and animal models of developmental programming with specific emphasis on cellular ageing and how these could lead to potential therapeutic interventions and strategies which could combat the burden of common age-associated disease, such as T2D and CVD.
PLoS ONE, 2009
We previously reported that maternal protein restriction in rodents influenced the rate of growth... more We previously reported that maternal protein restriction in rodents influenced the rate of growth in early life and ultimately affected longevity. Low birth weight caused by maternal protein restriction followed by catch-up growth (recuperated animals) was associated with shortened lifespan whereas protein restriction and slow growth during lactation (postnatal low protein: PLP animals) increased lifespan. We aim to explore the mechanistic basis by which these differences arise. Here we investigated effects of maternal diet on organ growth, metabolic parameters and the expression of insulin/IGF1 signalling proteins and Sirt1 in muscle of male mice at weaning. PLP mice which experienced protein restriction during lactation had lower fasting glucose (P = 0.038) and insulin levels (P = 0.046) suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. PLP mice had higher relative weights (adjusted by body weight) of brain (P = 0.0002) and thymus (P = 0.031) compared to controls suggesting that enhanced functional capacity of these two tissues is beneficial to longevity. They also had increased expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (P = 0.021) and protein kinase C zeta (P = 0.046). Recuperated animals expressed decreased levels of many insulin signalling proteins including PI3 kinase subunits p85a (P = 0.018), p110b (P = 0.048) and protein kinase C zeta (P = 0.006) which may predispose these animals to insulin resistance. Sirt1 protein expression was reduced in recuperated offspring. These observations suggest that maternal protein restriction can affect major metabolic pathways implicated in regulation of lifespan at a young age which may explain the impact of maternal diet on longevity.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 2007
We have recently reported that maternal dietary imbalance during pregnancy and lactation can redu... more We have recently reported that maternal dietary imbalance during pregnancy and lactation can reduce the lifespan of offspring. Rats that were growth restricted in utero by maternal protein restriction and underwent rapid weight gain when suckled by control fed dams died earlier than animals whose mothers were fed a control diet throughout pregnancy and lactation. We demonstrate here that mitochondrial abnormalities and DNA damage occur in the kidney of offspring who die prematurely. We have established by direct measurement and by in vitro supplementation that mitochondrial abnormalities occur because of a functional deficit of the mitochondrial cofactor coenzyme Q9 (CoQ9). These data provide molecular insight into the association between maternal nutrition and determination of offspring lifespan, and identify, a potential dietary intervention to prevent detrimental consequences of imbalanced maternal nutrition.
Experimental Cell Research, 2008
Standard cell culture conditions do not reflect the physiological environment in terms of oxygen ... more Standard cell culture conditions do not reflect the physiological environment in terms of oxygen tension (20% vs 3%). The effects of lowering oxygen tension on cell proliferation in culture can be beneficial as well as detrimental depending on the cell line studied, but the molecular mechanism underlying such effects is not fully understood. We observed that the proliferative capacity of the rat cell lines NRK and INS-1 was inhibited when cultured under 3% oxygen as compared to 20% oxygen. Suppression of proliferation in NRK cells was accompanied by induction of DNA double strand breaks whereas in INS-1 cells it was accompanied by up-regulation of p53 and p27. Although Sirt1 was up-regulated in both cell lines by 3% oxygen the effects on antioxidant enzymes (MnSOD, CuZnSOD and catalase) were cell line specific. Marked up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was detected in both NRK and INS-1 cells when cultured in 3% oxygen. HO-1 expression can be readily induced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide in culture. These results suggest that reduced oxygen tension suppresses the proliferative capacity of these two cell lines through a stress response that is similar to an oxidative stress response but the molecular events that lead to the reduced cell proliferation are cell line specific.
Early Human Development, 2007
Posters S135 (HF2), or third (HF3) week of gestation; or throughout gestation (HFG). Outcome meas... more Posters S135 (HF2), or third (HF3) week of gestation; or throughout gestation (HFG). Outcome measures: Pancreata were excised from the weanlings and either snap frozen for relative quantification of Pdx-1, Pax 4 and GLUT-2 gene expression; or formalin fixed for immunostaining and image analysis of Pdx-1 and GLUT-2. Results: Pdx-1 mRNA was overexpressed in HF3 weanlings, with no significant changes Pdx-1 immunoreactivity. Pax 4 mRNA expression was reduced in all of the weanlings. GLUT-2 mRNA expression was mostly reduced with GLUT-2 immunoreactivity elevated in HF3 and HFG weanlings. Conclusions: Programming with a HFD induced differential expression of key genes involved in beta-cell development and function. The reduction of Pax 4 mRNA may contribute to the compromised beta-cell development.
Clinical Science, 2010
We have demonstrated previously that low birthweight resulting from maternal protein restriction ... more We have demonstrated previously that low birthweight resulting from maternal protein restriction during pregnancy followed by accelerated growth in rodents was associated with shortened lifespan, whereas protein restriction and slow growth during lactation increased lifespan. Thus early life events can also have a long lasting impact on longevity. In the present study, we show that long-lived PLP (postnatal low protein) mice were protected from developing albuminuria, whereas short-lived recuperated mice demonstrated an age-dependent increase in albuminuria in old age. Microarray analysis of kidneys from 21-day-old mice revealed that gene expression profiles were differentially affected depending on whether protein restriction was imposed during pregnancy or lactation. The differentially expressed genes were involved in diverse biological functions such as cytoprotective functions, vitamin D synthesis, protein homoeostasis, regulation of antioxidant enzymes and cellular senescence. Significantly, up-regulation of Hmox1 (haem oxygenase 1) in kidneys from PLP mice suggests that tissues of long-lived mice are equipped with a better cytoprotective function. In contrast, up-regulation of Nuak2 (NUAK family, SNF1-like kinase 2) and down-regulation of Lonp2 (Lon peptidase 2), Foxo3a (forkhead box O3a), Sod1 (copper/zinc superoxide dismutase) and Sesn1 (sestrin 1) in the kidneys of recuperated offspring suggest that protein homoeostasis and resistance to oxidative stress are compromised, leading to accelerated cellular senescence in these shorter-lived mice.
Clinical Science, 2009
Nutrition and growth rate during early life can influence later health and lifespan. We previousl... more Nutrition and growth rate during early life can influence later health and lifespan. We previously demonstrated that low birth weight resulting from maternal protein restriction during pregnancy followed by catch-up growth in rodents was associated with shortened lifespan whereas protein restriction and slow growth during lactation increased lifespan. The underlying mechanisms by which these differences arise are unknown. Here we report that maternal protein restriction in mice influences thymic growth in early adult life. Offspring of dams fed a low protein diet during lactation (PLP offspring) showed significant thymic growth from 21 days to 12 weeks of age whereas this was not observed in control mice or offspring of dams fed a low protein diet during pregnancy (recuperated offspring). PCNA and SIRT1 protein levels at 21 days of age were significantly higher in thymus from both PLP (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 respectively) and recuperated mice (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively) compared to controls. At 12 weeks PLP maintained a higher SIRT1 level whereas PCNA was decreased in thymus from recuperated offspring. This suggests that mitotic activity was initially enhanced in thymus of both PLP and recuperated offspring but remained sustained into adulthood only in PLP mice. The differential mitotic activity in thymus of PLP and recuperated animals appeared to be influenced by changes in sex hormone concentrations and expression of p53, p16, the androgen receptor, IL-7 and the IL-7 receptor. The differential thymic growth may contribute to the regulation of longevity by maternal diet.
Carcinogenesis, 2010
We previously showed that offspring of rat dams receiving a protein-restricted (low protein) diet... more We previously showed that offspring of rat dams receiving a protein-restricted (low protein) diet throughout pregnancy and lactation develop mammary tumors more quickly. Rapid post-weaning mammary growth and mammary tissue overexpression of insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), estrogen receptor isoform alpha and v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2), correlated with this risk. The objectives of this study were therefore (i) to identify underlying mechanisms of increased risk through candidate and global approaches; (ii) to determine if excessive calorie intake further increased risk and if so, (iii) to identify the molecular mechanisms mediating this. We provide evidence for transcriptional upregulation of IGF-1R by Sp1 in LP mammary tissue (P < 0.01). Cell cycle control and DNA damage repair gene cyclindependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) (p21waf1) was also upregulated (P < 0.05) as was transcription factor nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cell (P < 0.05) and adhesion gene CDH1 (P < 0.05). Invasion and metastasis markers matrix metalloproteinase 9 and serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 1 (SERPIN1) were upregulated (both P < 0.05), whereas metastasis suppressor gene NME1 was downregulated (P < 0.01). Feeding a highly palatable diet (HPD) to increase calorie intake from puberty, additively and independently increased early mammary tumor risk, which correlated with increased serum insulin and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.05). PTEN gene expression was reduced both by early protein restriction (P < 0.05) and HPD (P < 0.01), which may induce Akt in cell survival pathways. Progesterone receptor and ERBB2 (both P < 0.05) expression increased as an effect of an interaction between maternal diet and adult nutrition, with subsequent downstream activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. We conclude that poor early growth and excessive calorie intake exert independent and additive effects on mitogenic growth factor signaling to influence mammary tumor susceptibility.
AJP: Renal Physiology, 2006
Lower antioxidant capacity and elevated p53 and p21 may be a link between gender disparity in ren... more Lower antioxidant capacity and elevated p53 and p21 may be a link between gender disparity in renal telomere shortening, albuminuria, and longevity. It is well documented that females live longer than males and more renal damage occurs in males. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to define aging effects on albuminuria and kidney telomere length from male and female rats and to determine mechanisms, which may explain any observed differences. Cellular senescence is known to play a major role in nephropathology, and as such, a range of senescence markers were compared in male and female renal tissue. Oxidative stress has been shown to accelerate telomere shortening and elicit cellular growth arrest. Thus major antioxidants, MnSOD, glutathione peroxidase I, and glutathione reductase, were also evaluated. Urinary albumin excretion increased with age in both sexes, but the increase was greater in males than females. In the cortex and medulla of both male and female rats, age-related telomere shortening occurred, the effect being more pronounced in males than in females. The cortical region had more short telomeres than the medulla in both genders. p53 And p21 expression over time significantly increased in males, but not in females. MnSOD expression was elevated in female vs. male cortex. Gxp1 and glutathione reductase levels were increased in the older female cortex compared with males. Our findings indicate that a reduction in oxidative damage protection may be responsible for accelerated telomere shortening over time, resulting in increased cellular senescence, loss of renal function, and death in male rats.
AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2007
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Papers by Jane Tarry-adkins