The anti-aging action of hypophysectomy in hypothalamic obese rats: effects on collagen aging, age-associated proteinuria development and renal histopathology

An integrated approach to investigate age-related modifications of morphological, mechanical and structural properties of type I collagen

The main propose of this study is to characterize the impact of chronological aging on mechanical, structural, biochemical, and morphological properties of type I collagen. We have developed an original approach combining a stress-strain measurement device with a portable Raman spectrometer to enable simultaneous measurement of Raman spectra during stress vs strain responses of young adult, adult and old rat tail tendon fascicles (RTTFs). Our data showed an increase in all mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength with aging. At the molecular level, Raman data revealed that the most relevant frequency shift was observed at 938 cm^-1 in Old RTTFs, which is assigned to the C-C. This suggested a long axis deformation of the peptide chains in Old RTTFs during tensile stress. In addition, the intensity of the band at 872 cm^-1, corresponding to hydroxyproline decreased for young adult RTTFs and increased for the adult ones, while it remained unchanged for Old RTTFs during tensile stress. The amide III band (1242 and 1265 cm^-1) as well as the band ratios I₁₆₃₁/ I₁₆₆₃ and I₁₆₄₅ / I₁₆₆₃ responses to tensile stress were depending on mechanical phases (toe, elastic and plastic). The quantification of advanced glycation end-products by LC-MS/MS and spectrofluorometry showed an increase in their content with aging. This suggested that the accumulation of such products was correlated to the alterations observed in the mechanical and molecular properties of RTTFs. Analysis of the morphological properties of RTTFs by SHG combined with CT-FIRE software revealed an increase in length and straightness of collagen fibers, whereas their width and wavy fraction decreased. Our integrated study model could be useful to provide additional translational information to monitor progression of diseases related to collagen remodeling in musculoskeletal disorders. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Type I collagen is the major component of the extracellular matrix. Its architectural and structural organization plays an important role in the mechanical properties of many tissues at the physiological and pathological levels. The objective of this work is to develop an integrated approach to bring a new insight on the impact of chronological aging on the structural organization and mechanical properties of type I collagen. We combined a portable Raman spectrometer with a mechanical tensile testing device in order to monitor in real time the changes in the Raman fingerprint of type I collagen fibers during the mechanical stress. Raman spectroscopy allowed the identification of the type I collagen bonds that were affected by mechanical stress in a differential manner with aging.

The mechanical and biochemical properties of tail tendon in a rat model of obesity: Effect of moderate exercise and prebiotic fibre supplementation

The worldwide trajectory of increasing obesity rates is a major health problem precipitating a rise in the prevalence of a variety of co-morbidities and chronic diseases. Tendinopathy, in weight and non-weight bearing tendons, in individuals with overweight or obesity has been linked to metabolic dysfunction resulting from obesity. Exercise and dietary fibre supplementation (DFS) are common countermeasures to combat obesity and therefore it seems reasonable to assume that they might protect tendons from structural and mechanical damage in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a DIO, DIO combined with moderate exercise, DIO combined with DFS (prebiotic oligofructose), and DIO combined with moderate exercise and DFS on the mechanical and biochemical properties of the rat tail tendon. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet were randomized into a sedentary, a moderate exercise, a DFS, or a moderate exercise combined with DFS group for 12 weeks. Additionally, six lean age-matched animals were included as a sedentary control group. DIO in combination with exercise alone and with exercise and DFS reduced the Young's Modulus but not the collagen content of the rat tail tendons compared to lean control animals. However, no differences in the mechanical and biochemical properties of the rat tail tendon were detected between the DIO and the lean control group, suggesting that DIO by itself did not impact the tail tendon. It seems that longer DIO exposure periods may be needed to develop overt differences in our DIO model.

Invited Review: A Contemporary Overview of Chronic Progressive Nephropathy in the Laboratory Rat, and Its Significance for Human Risk Assessment

CPN (chronic progressive nephropathy) is a spontaneous age-related disease that occurs in high incidence in the strains of rat commonly used in preclinical toxicology studies, exhibiting a male predisposition. Although increasing in incidence and severity with age, evidence indicates that CPN should be regarded as a specific disease entity and not just a manifestation of the aging process. A number of factors, mainly dietary manipulations, have been shown to modify the expression of CPN. Amongst these, restriction of caloric intake is the most effective for inhibiting the disease process. The precise etiology of CPN and the mechanism(s) underlying its pathogenesis remain unknown, but the long-standing assumption that glomerular dysfunction is the primary basis is challenged in the light of contemporary developments in understanding filtration and postglomerular cellular processing of albumin. CPN is not only a degenerative disease, but also has regenerative aspects with a high cell proliferative rate in affected tubules. Accordingly, evidence is emerging that advanced, particularly end-stage CPN, is a risk factor for a marginal increase in the background incidence of renal tubule tumors. Many chemicals are known to exacerbate the severity of CPN to an advanced stage, and this interaction between chemical and CPN can result in a small increase in the incidence of renal adenomas in 2-year carcinogenicity bioassays. Review of the pathological entities associated with chronic renal failure in man emphasizes that this rodent condition has no strict human counterpart. Because CPN is a rodent-specific entity, the finding of a small, statistically significant increase in renal tubule tumors, linked to exacerbation of CPN by a test chemical in a preclinical study for carcinogenicity, can be regarded as having no relevance for extrapolation in human risk assessment.

Protective role of female gender in programmed accelerated renal aging in the rat

The aging kidney exhibits a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate, accompanied by inflammatory and oxidative damage. We hypothesized that accelerated, age-related progression of renal injury is ovarian hormones-dependant. To address this we used an established model of developmentally programmed accelerated renal aging in the rat, superimposed by ovariectomy to assess interactions between ovarian hormones and the aging process. Under our experimental conditions, we found that kidney function worsens with age, that is GFR reduces over 18 month analyzed time-course and this was worsened by fetal exposure to maternal low-protein diet and absence of estrogen. Reduction in GFR was followed by increases in albuminuria, proteinuria, inflammatory markers, and tissue carbonyls, all suggesting inflammatory response and oxidative stress. This was associated with changes in AGTR2 expression which was greater at 18 months of age compared to earlier time points, but in MLP offspring only. Our studies show an influence of ovarian hormones on programmed accelerated renal aging and the AGTR2 across the lifespan. The main findings are that ovariectomy is a risk factor for increased aging-related renal injury and that this and oxidative damage might be related to changes in AGTR2 expression.

Consideration of rat chronic progressive nephropathy in regulatory evaluations for carcinogenicity

Chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) is a spontaneous renal disease of rats which can be a serious confounder in toxicology studies. It is a progressive disease with known physiological factors that modify disease progression, such as high dietary protein. The weight of evidence supports an absence of a renal counterpart in humans. There is extensive evidence that advanced CPN, particularly end-stage kidney, is a risk factor for development of a background incidence of atypical tubule hyperplasia and renal tubule tumors (RTT). The likely cause underlying this association with tubule neoplasia is the long-term increased tubule cell proliferation that occurs throughout CPN progression. As a variety of chemicals are able to exacerbate CPN, there is a potential for those exacerbating the severity up to and including end-stage kidney to cause a marginal increase in RTT and their precursor lesions. Extensive statistical analysis of National Toxicology Program studies shows a strong correlation between high-grade CPN, especially end-stage CPN, and renal tumor development. CPN as a mode of action (MOA) for rat RTT has received attention from regulatory authorities only recently. In the absence of toxic effects elsewhere, this does not constitute a carcinogenic effect of the chemical but can be addressed through a proposed MOA approach for regulatory purposes to reach a decision that RTT, developing as a result of CPN exacerbation in rats, have no relevance for human risk assessment. Guidelines are proposed for evaluation of exacerbation of CPN and RTT as a valid MOA for a given chemical.

Glucosepane Is a Major Protein Cross-link of the Senescent Human Extracellular Matrix

The extracellular matrix in most tissues is characterized by progressive age-related stiffening and loss of proteolytic digestibility that are accelerated in diabetes and can be duplicated by the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars and extracellular matrix proteins. However, most cross-links of the Maillard reaction described so far are present in quantities too low to account for these changes. Here we have determined in human skin and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) collagen the levels of the recently discovered lysine-arginine cross-links derived from glucose, methylglyoxal, glyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone, i.e. glucosepane, MODIC, GODIC, and DOGDIC, respectively. Insoluble preparations of skin collagen (n = 110) and glomerular basement membrane (GBM, n = 28) were enzymatically digested, and levels were measured by isotope dilution technique using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. In skin, all cross-links increased with age (p < 0.0001) except DOGDIC (p = 0.34). In nondiabetic controls, levels at 90 years were 2000, 30, and 15 pmol/mg for glucosepane, MODIC, and GODIC, respectively. Diabetes, but not renal failure, increased glucosepane to 5000 pmol/mg (p < 0.0001), and for all others, increased it to <60 pmol/mg (p < 0.01). In GBMs, glucosepane reached up to 500 pmol/mg of collagen and was increased in diabetes (p < 0.0001) but not old age. In conclusion, glucosepane is the single major cross-link of the senescent extracellular matrix discovered so far, accounting for up to >120 mole% of triple helical collagen modification in diabetes. Its presence in high quantities may contribute to a number of structural and cell matrix dysfunctions observed in aging and diabetes.

Relationship between mechanical properties and pentosidine in tendon: effects of age, diet restriction, and aminoguanidine in broiler breeder hens

Nonenzymatic glycosylation contributes to the formation of crosslinks, which leads to the structural and functional deterioration of tissue protein. The accumulation of these crosslinks in tissue proteins has been implicated in the alteration of biomechanical properties of connective tissues. The objective of this study was to determine whether tendon breaking time (TBT) and tendon breaking strength (TBS) of the flexor perforans et perforatus digiti iii tendon were related to concentrations of pentosidine in tendons (Pt) of broiler breeder hens from 8 to 125 wk of age. In addition, effects of diet restriction (DR) and a crosslinking inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG) on Pt, TBS, and TBT were determined. Female chicks (n = 450) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups immediately after hatch: ad libitum-fed (AL); diet-restricted (DR; 60% of AL); and AL and DR groups supplemented with 1.35 mg/kg BW per day AG in the feed (AL+AG and DR+AG, respectively). In AL hens, Pt increased with increasing age (P < or = 0.0001). Concurrently, an age-related parallel increase was found for TBS (P < or = 0.0001) and TBT (P < or = 0.0001). Rate of Pt accumulation was lower in DR (P < or = 0.001), TBS (P < or = 0.01), and TBT (P < or = 0.02) hens compared with AL hens. Concentration of Pt in the AL + AG group was lower (P < or = 0.0002) than in the AL group; TBS and TBT (P < or = 0.01) followed a similar pattern. Supplementation of DR with AG did not affect Pt, TBS, or TBT. The age-related increase in Pt and loss of elasticity in the tendon was retarded by diet restriction and AG.

The effect of neonatal pinealectomy on the inhibitory actions of food restriction on vaginal opening and collagen aging in the rat

Long-term food restriction is known to inhibit development and aging in the rat. These actions may be mediated by the pineal hormone, melatonin, whose secretion is increased by food restriction. This mechanism was investigated by studying the effects of pinealectomy in ad libitum fed and food restricted rats of both sexes living under normal conditions of temperature (23 degrees C) and lighting 12 h light:12 h dark cycle) over a period of 400 days. Pinealectomies were performed at the age of 5 days. Pinealectomy did not affect the amount of food eaten per day. Vaginal opening occurred at age 35 days in ad libitum fed female rats and was delayed to 49 days (P < 0.001) in rats whose food intake was restricted by 35%, but only to 41 days (P < 0.001) if food restricted (FR) rats were pinealectomized (Px). The inhibitory effect of food restriction on body growth and tail tendon collagen fibre aging was the same in both intact and pinealectomized rats. At the conclusion of the study in middle age at 400 days, plasma melatonin levels 4 h into the dark cycle were higher in food restricted than in ad libitum fed rats (P = 0.015). This study provides evidence for a role of the pineal in mediating the inhibitory action of food restriction on vaginal opening, but not on body growth or collagen aging in tail tendon up to middle age.

Molecular hysteresis: residual effects of hormones and glucose on genes during aging

The basic concept of molecular hysteresis may be succintly summarized as follows in the following Limerick:. Hormones behave like Don Juan: They show up, do their thing, then they're gone. But when genes have been kissed Some effects may persist, And the melody still lingers on.

The use of hypothermia in surgical pinealectomy of the neonate rat

A technique is described in which rat pups (5-7 days old) are induced into a state of suspended animation by placing them in the freezing compartment of a refrigerator at -20 degrees C for 8-10 minutes. This induces cessation of respiration and heart beat for 12-15 minutes. Surgical pinealectomy is undertaken during this period. Postoperation the animal is gradually warmed and restored to its dam. The effectiveness of pinealectomy was checked after some 400 days by measurement of plasma dark cycle melatonin levels using radioimmune assay. The method is reliable, robust and the results predictable, no melatonin being detectable 400 days after surgery.

Inhibitory effect of hypophysectomy and food restriction on glomerular basement membrane thickening, proteinuria and renal enlargement in aging male Wistar rats

Age-related thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) was studied in three groups of male Wistar rats: (a) ad libitum fed, (b) hypophysectomized and (c) food-restricted eating the same amount of food as hypophysectomized rats, but about 45% of the ad libitum fed group. Studies were begun at 50 days (2 months) and continued throughout life. Multiple regression was used to statistically assess the effects of age and treatments. In ad libitum fed male rats GBM thickness increased from 114 nm at 50 days (2 months) to 632 nm at 1,000 days (33 months). GBM thickness at 1,000 days was 296 nm in hypophysectomized rats and 392 nm in food restricted rats. Hypophysectomy had a significantly greater inhibitory action on GBM thickening than food restriction, in rats eating the same quantity of food per day. However, a major part of the effect of hypophysectomy may be due to the permanent fall in food intake (from 16.3 to 7.9 g/day) resulting from the operation. Accompanying the age-related thickening of the GBM in ad libitum fed rats were proteinuria and renal enlargement, both of which were inhibited by hypophysectomy and food restriction.

Skeletal muscle aging in the hind limb of the old male Wistar rat: inhibitory effect of hypophysectomy and food restriction

By age 1 100 days (37 mth) hind leg paralysis was found in 50% of ad libitum fed (control) male Wistar rats, but only 10% of food restricted rats and no hypophysectomized rats of that age had this disease. Gastrocnemius muscle weight declined at a faster rate than whole body weight in old ad libitum fed rats but not in old hypophysectomized or food restricted rats. Light microscopic and ultrastructural changes were studied in the muscles of the hind limbs of 11 control, 5 food-restricted and 5 hypophysectomized rats aged 805 to 1 307 days. Light microscopic changes in muscles involved progressive degeneration demonstrated by the accumulation of adipocytes and degenerative inclusion bodies. The main ultrastructural changes were associated with myofibrillar breakdown. In addition there was thickening of the basal lamina around blood capillaries. However, muscle from hypophysectomized and food restricted rats of the same age range as controls possessed normal morphology with reduced thickening of the capillary basal lamina.