Mitochondrial Dysfunction Drives Age-Related Degeneration of the Thoracic Aorta.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the role of mitochondrial function in aortic aging. As the aorta ages, it becomes stiffer and less compliant, increasing the risk of aneurysmal disease, hypertension, and diastolic dysfunction. Given the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in non-age related aortopathies and as a hallmark of aging, we investigated its contribution to the aging aorta. Both male and female young (5-6 month) and aged (24-25 month) C57Bl/6J mice received mitochondrial-targeted peptide elamipretide (ELAM; SS-31) for 8 weeks. ELAM restored complex II-linked respiration in aged mice to values seen in young mice, while also improving relative phosphorylative flux. ELAM treatment also reduced inflammatory MMP9 expression and elastin breaks in aged mice. Bulk RNAseq analysis revealed that ELAM

SUBMITTER: Dhanekula AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12259200 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature