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Age-Related Mitochondrial DNA Deletion in Rat Liver Depends on Dietary Fat Unsaturation

Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Departments of ¹ Physiology ² Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Spain.

Address correspondence to José L. Quiles, PhD, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos, C/Ramón y Cajal 4 18071 Granada, Spain. E-mail: jlquiles{at}ugr.es

We fed male Wistar rats lifelong on virgin olive (rich in the monounsaturated oleic acid) or sunflower (rich in the polyunsaturated linoleic acid) oil-based diets. At 6 and 24 months, liver mitochondria were analyzed for a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion, reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, and ultrastructural alterations. An aging-related increase in the relative amount of the deletion was observed for both dietary groups, being higher in animals fed sunflower oil. Oxidative stress was lower in virgin olive oil-fed animals. Aging led to higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased -tocopherol and coenzyme Q. Mitochondria from aged animals fed sunflower oil exhibited a lower number of cristae and a higher circularity. Results suggest that the age-related increase of the relative amount of deleted mtDNA depends on fat unsaturation. Moreover, the studied mtDNA deletion was correlated with mitochondrial oxidative stress and ultrastructural alterations.