Erythrocyte senescence and membrane transporters in young and old rats

Deformability of Heterogeneous Red Blood Cells in Aging and Related Pathologies

Aging is interrelated with changes in red blood cell parameters and functionality. In this article, we focus on red blood cells (RBCs) and provide a review of the known changes associated with the characterization of RBC deformability in aging and related pathologies. The biophysical parameters complement the commonly used biochemical parameters and may contribute to a better understanding of the aging process. The power of the deformability measurement approach is well established in clinical settings. Measuring RBCs' deformability has the advantage of relative simplicity, and it reflects the complex effects developing in erythrocytes during aging. However, aging and related pathological conditions also promote heterogeneity of RBC features and have a certain impact on the variance in erythrocyte cell properties. The possible applications of deformability as an early biophysical biomarker of pathological states are discussed, and modulating PIEZO1 as a therapeutic target is suggested. The changes in RBCs' shape can serve as a proxy for deformability evaluation, leveraging single-cell analysis with imaging flow cytometry and artificial intelligence algorithms. The characterization of biophysical parameters of RBCs is in progress in humans and will provide a better understanding of the complex dynamics of aging.

Influence of Anticholinesterase Drugs on Activity and Properties of Na+,K+-ATPase in Rat Erythrocytes under Stress Caused by Intense Physical Exercise

We studied the effect of intramuscular injection of physostigmine and neostigmine on Na+,K+-ATPase activity in erythrocytes of rats subjected to intense physical exercise. Both anticholinesterase drugs had a significant effect on the development of the stress response, which was expressed in a decrease in the manifestation of its individual components such as the concentration of ascorbic acid in the adrenal glands, stress-related erythrocyte polycythemia, and LPO indicators. Anticholinesterase drugs reverse the stress-induced decrease in Na+,K+-ATPase activity, as well as changes in its magnesium-dependent properties. There were no changes in the activity of the studied enzyme in the erythrocyte ghosts. We associate the observed differences with the correction of the functions of the cholinergic components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to the development of a hypoergic type stress reaction.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation affects cellular ionic balance: relevance to aging

Aging results into disruptive physiological functioning and cellular processes that affect the composition and structure of the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is the major regulator of ionic homeostasis that regulates the functioning of membrane transporters and exchangers. Coenzyme Q10 is a lipid-soluble antioxidant molecule that declines during aging and age-associated diseases. The present study aims to explore the role of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation to rats during aging on membrane transporters and redox biomarkers. The study was conducted on young and old male Wistar rats supplemented with 20 mg/kg b.w. of Coenzyme Q10 per day. After a period of 28 days, rats were sacrificed and erythrocyte membrane was isolated. The result exhibits significant decline in biomarkers of oxidative stress in old control rats when compared with young control. The effect of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation was more pronounced in old rats. The functioning of membrane transporters and Na+/H+ exchanger showed potential return to normal levels in the Coenzyme Q10 treated rats. Overall, the results demonstrate that Coenzyme Q10 plays an important role in maintaining redox balance in cells which interconnects with membrane integrity. Thus, Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may play an important role in protecting age related alterations in erythrocyte membrane physiology.

The biomedical application of inorganic metal nanoparticles in aging and aging-associated diseases

Aging and aging-associated diseases (AAD), including neurodegenerative disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, are inevitable process. With the gradual improvement of life style, life expectancy is gradually extended. However, the extended lifespan has not reduced the incidence of disease, and most elderly people are in ill-health state in their later years. Hence, understanding aging and AAD are significant for reducing the burden of the elderly. Inorganic metal nanoparticles (IMNPs) predominantly include gold, silver, iron, zinc, titanium, thallium, platinum, cerium, copper NPs, which has been widely used to prevent and treat aging and AAD due to their superior properties (essential metal ions for human body, easily synthesis and modification, magnetism). Therefore, a systematic review of common morphological alternations of senescent cells, altered genes and signal pathways in aging and AAD, and biomedical applications of IMNPs in aging and AAD is crucial for the further research and development of IMNPs in aging and AAD. This review focus on the existing research on cellular senescence, aging and AAD, as well as the applications of IMNPs in aging and AAD in the past decade. This review aims to provide cutting-edge knowledge involved with aging and AAD, the application of IMNPs in aging and AAD to promote the biomedical application of IMNPs in aging and AAD.

Curcumin protects against aging-related stress and dysfunction through autophagy activation in rat brain

BACKGROUND

Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a well-known medicinal plant that induces autophagy in various model species, helping maintain cellular homeostasis. Its role as a caloric restriction mimetic (CRM) is being investigated. This study explores the potential of curcumin (CUR), as a CRM, to provide neuroprotection in D galactose induced accelerated senescence model of rats through modulation of autophagy. For six weeks, male rats received simultaneous supplementation of D-gal (300 mg/kg b.w., subcutaneously) and CUR (200 mg/kg b.w., oral).

METHOD AND RESULTS

The oxidative stress indices, antioxidants, and electron transport chain complexes in brain tissues were measured using standard methods. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) gene expression analysis was used to evaluate the expression of autophagy, neuroprotection, and aging marker genes. Our results show that curcumin significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced the level of antioxidants and considerably lowered the level of oxidative stress markers. Supplementing with CUR also increased the activity of electron transport chain complexes in the mitochondria of aged brain tissue, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of CUR at the mitochondrial level. CUR was found to upregulate the expression of the aging marker gene (SIRT-1) and the genes associated with autophagy (Beclin-1 and ULK-1), as well as neuroprotection (NSE) in the brain. The expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was downregulated.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that CUR suppresses oxidative damage brought on by aging by modulating autophagy. These findings imply that curcumin might be beneficial for neuroprotection in aging and age-related disorders.

A new role for erythropoietin in the homeostasis of red blood cells

The regulation of red blood cell (RBC) homeostasis is widely assumed to rely on the control of cell production by erythropoietin (EPO) and the destruction of cells at a fixed, species-specific age. In this work, we show that such a regulatory mechanism would be a poor homeostatic solution to satisfy the changing needs of the body. Effective homeostatic control would require RBC lifespan to be variable and tightly regulated. We suggest that EPO may control RBC lifespan by determining CD47 expression in newly formed RBCs and SIRP-α expression in sinusoidal macrophages. EPO could also regulate the initiation and intensity of anti-RBC autoimmune responses that curtail RBC lifespan in some circumstances. These mechanisms would continuously modulate the rate of RBC destruction depending on oxygen availability. The control of RBC lifespan by EPO and autoimmunity emerges as a key mechanism in the homeostasis of RBCs.

Acarbose Mitigates Age-Dependent Alterations in Erythrocyte Membrane Transporters During Aging in Rats

Acarbose (ACA), a well-studied and effective inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, is a postprandial-acting antidiabetic medicine. The membrane of the erythrocyte is an excellent tool for analyzing different physiological and biochemical activities since it experiences a range of metabolic alterations throughout aging. It is uncertain if ACA modulates erythrocyte membrane activities in an age-dependent manner. As a result, the current study was conducted to explore the influence of ACA on age-dependent deteriorated functions of transporters/exchangers, disrupted levels of various biomarkers such as lipid hydroperoxides (LHs), protein carbonyl (PCO), sialic acid (SA), total thiol (-SH), and erythrocyte membrane osmotic fragility. In addition to a concurrent increase in Na+/H+ exchanger activity and concentration of LH, PCO, and osmotic fragility, we also detected a considerable decrease in membrane-linked activities of Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) and Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA), as well as concentrations of SA and -SH in old-aged rats. The aging-induced impairment of the activities of membrane-bound ATPases and the changed levels of redox biomarkers were shown to be effectively restored by ACA treatment.

The combination of nicotinamide mononucleotide and lycopene prevents cognitive impairment and attenuates oxidative damage in D-galactose induced aging models via Keap1-Nrf2 signaling

Aging is referred to progressive dysfunction of body organs, including the brain. This study aims to explore the anti-aging effect of combing nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and lycopene (Lyco) (NMN + Lyco) on aging rats and senescent PC12 cells. Both in vivo and in vitro aging models were established using D-galactose (D-gal). The combination showed a trend to superiority over monotherapy in preventing aging in vivo and in vitro. Morris water maze test showed that NMN + Lyco effectively improved the ability of spatial location learning and memory of aging model rats. NMN + Lyco mitigated the oxidative stress of rat brains, livers, and PC12 cells by elevating the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), GSH, as well as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content. CCK-8 assay, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and flow cytometer confirmed the cellular senescence of PC12 cells after exposing D-gal, and indicated the anti-senescence effect of NMN + Lyco in vitro. Moreover, NMN + Lyco effectively down-regulated the expressions of p53, p21, and p16 (senescence-related genes), and activated Keap1-Nrf2 signaling in both in vivo and in vitro aging models. In total, NMN + Lyco protected rats and PC12 cells from cognitive impairment and cellular senescence induced by D-gal, of which effects might be linked to the reduction of oxidative stress and the activation of Keap1-Nrf2 signaling.

Anti-Anemic Effect of Antioxidant-Rich Apple Vinegar against Phenylhydrazine-Induced Hemolytic Anemia in Rats

This study aims to examine the ability of apple vinegar on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced hemolytic anemia in Wistar rats. In vitro, phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were determined. In vivo, phenylhydrazine (10 mg/kg) was injected intravenously into rats for 4 days and then treated with apple vinegar daily by gavage (1 mL/kg) for five weeks. high level of polyphenols and flavonoids (90 ± 1.66 mg GAE/100 mL and 7.29 ± 0.23 mg QE/100 mL, respectively) were found in the apple vinegar which gives it a good ability to scavenge free radicals (TAC = 4.22 ± 0.18 mg AAE/100 mL and DPPH, IC₅₀ = 0.49 ± 0.004 µL/ml). The phytochemical composition of apple vinegar revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds including arbutin, apigenin, sinapic, ferulic and trans-ferulic acids. The major antioxidant components in apple vinegar were ferulic and trans-ferulic acids (40% and 43%, respectively). PHZ treatment induced changes in platelets, blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin concentration and mean capsulated hemoglobin. However, the co-administration of apple vinegar revealed its capacity to ameliorate the changes induced by phenylhydrazine. Therefore, apple vinegar use could have a positive impact on the prevention of hemolytic anemia induced by phenylhydrazine due to the antioxidant properties of its major components.

Fisetin, a potential caloric restriction mimetic, modulates ionic homeostasis in senescence induced and naturally aged rats

CONTEXT

Fisetin as a caloric restriction mimetic (CRM) exerts numerous beneficial effects on different aging model systems. The effect of fisetin on erythrocyte membrane functions against induced aging is not very clear.

OBJECTIVES

The potential role of fisetin in the modulation of erythrocytes membrane-bound transporters during natural and induced aging in rats was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were used for natural and D-galactose (D-gal) induced aging model. After supplementation with fisetin, the activities of different membrane transporters and biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated.

RESULTS

Fisetin modulated membrane transporters such as calcium-ATPase, sodium potassium-ATPase and sodium hydrogen exchanger during senescence-induced as well as in natural aging. Fisetin also protected oxidative modifications in rat aging.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Fisetin supplementation improves the ionic homeostasis, a factor that is involved in the aetiology of several age-associated diseases, in naturally old as well as D-gal induced aged rats.

Human erythrocyte surface fucose expression increases with age and hyperglycemia

Background: Reactive oxygen species and other free radicals, together with glucose and its metabolites are believed to play important roles in the aging process. The carbohydrate components of glycosylated proteins are important in mediating cell-cell interactions and a role has been suggested for them in the aging process. Erythrocytes are critical cells in the human body, heavily glycosylated and relatively easily available and so are good candidates to yield insights into how patterns of glycosylation change with age and disease. It has been claimed, based on a periodic acid Schiff assay, that human aging is associated with a decline of erythrocyte surface sialic acids. Plant lectins allow for more specific assays for glycans, including determining the linkage of sialic acids and analysis of single cells by flow cytometry. Methods: Plant lectins, including Maackia amurensis lectin II (MAL), binding to α-2,3 linked sialic acids and Sambucus nigra (SNA), α-2,6 sialic acids, were used in flow cytometry and western blot of erythrocyte surface membrane. N-glycomics mass spectrometry determines glycan structures. Donors varying in age and hyperglycemia, as indicated by HbA1c were analysed. Results: Erythrocyte surface sialic acids have no significant associations with donor age. A combination of storage and cellular aging produces a specific loss of α-2,6 sialic acids. By contrast, erythrocyte surface terminal fucoses increase significantly with donor age. In order to determine which aspects of aging are important in determining this change, we investigated whether this novel human aging biomarker is associated with higher plasma glucose values, assessed by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Fucose levels were associated with HbA1c levels, but not ROS generation. Conclusion: Our study identifies novel glycan-based biomarkers for human aging and disease. The simplicity of lectin-based assays provide an attractive cellular tool to study aging and disease processes.

Redox modulating effects of grape juice during aging

Background Polyphenols are known because of their phytochemical constituents having antioxidative properties. In this regard, grape juice is highly enriched with polyphenolic constituents, and its supplementation has been known to improve many health and age-associated diseases and risk factors. Our study was entirely dedicated to evaluating the positive effects of grape juice on young and old rats' erythrocytes and plasma. Methods Young (4 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were given an oral dose of grape juice for 28 days. They were grouped into four categories (n = 6): Group I: young control rats; Group II: young grape juice treated rats; Group III: old control rats; Group IV: old treated rats. The treated groups were administered with 10 μL/g of grape juice according to body weight. The following biomarkers of antioxidant defense were measured: ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), plasma membrane redox system (PMRS), glutathione (GSH), osmotic fragility, and the decrease in lipid peroxidation measured in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results A significant increase (p<0.05) in antioxidant levels of FRAP, PMRS, and GSH and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in oxidized products such as ROS and MDA were seen in the treated rats in comparison to the controls. The decrease in ROS and rise in FRAP and PMRS levels suggest the ability of grape juice to combat oxidative stress effectively. Conclusion We propose the role of grape juice as a potent antioxidant because of its easy bioavailability and its role in combating stress. Our results also approve grape juice as a possible antiaging agent.

A review of select minerals influencing the haematopoietic process

Micronutrients are indispensable for adequate metabolism, such as biochemical function and cell production. The production of blood cells is named haematopoiesis and this process is highly consuming due to the rapid turnover of the haematopoietic system and consequent demand for nutrients. It is well established that micronutrients are relevant to blood cell production, although some of the mechanisms of how micronutrients modulate haematopoiesis remain unknown. The aim of the present review is to summarise the effect of Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Co, iodine, P, Se, Cu, Li and Zn on haematopoiesis. This review deals specifically with the physiological requirements of selected micronutrients to haematopoiesis, showing various studies related to the physiological requirements, deficiency or excess of these minerals on haematopoiesis. The literature selected includes studies in animal models and human subjects. In circumstances where these minerals have not been studied for a given condition, no information was used. All the selected minerals have an important role in haematopoiesis by influencing the quality and quantity of blood cell production. In addition, it is highly recommended that the established nutrition recommendations for these minerals be followed, because cases of excess or deficient mineral intake can affect the haematopoiesis process.

Whey protein concentrate supplementation protects rat brain against aging-induced oxidative stress and neurodegeneration

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is a rich source of sulfur-containing amino acids and is consumed as a functional food, incorporating a wide range of nutritional attributes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of WPC on rat brain during aging. Young (4 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were supplemented with WPC (300 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in terms of ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), total thiol (T-SH), protein carbonyl (PC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in brain of control and experimental (WPC supplemented) groups. In addition, gene expression and histopathological studies were also performed. The results indicate that WPC augmented the level of FRAP, T-SH, and AChE in old rats as compared with the old control. Furthermore, WPC-treated groups exhibited significant reduction in LHP, PC, ROS, and NO levels in aged rats. WPC supplementation also downregulated the expression of inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6), and upregulated the expression of marker genes associated with autophagy (Atg3, Beclin-1, LC3B) and neurodegeneration (neuron specific enolase, Synapsin-I, MBP-2). The findings suggested WPC to be a potential functional nutritional food supplement that prevents the progression of age-related oxidative damage in Wistar rats.

Rapamycin mitigates erythrocyte membrane transport functions and oxidative stress during aging in rats

Erythrocyte membrane is a suitable model to study various metabolic and physiological functions as it undergoes variety of biochemical changes during aging. An age-dependent modulatory effect of rapamycin on erythrocyte membrane functions is completely unknown. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of rapamycin on age-dependent impaired activities of transporters/exchangers, altered levels of redox biomarkers, viz. protein carbonyl (PC), lipid hydroperoxides (LHs), total thiol (-SH), sialic acid (SA) and intracellular calcium ion [Ca²⁺]i, and osmotic fragility of erythrocyte membrane. A significant reduction in membrane-bound activities of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) and Ca²⁺-ATPase (PMCA), and levels of -SH and SA was observed along with a simultaneous induction in Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger (NHE) activity and levels of [Ca²⁺]i, PC, LH and osmotic fragility in old-aged rats. Rapamycin was found to be a promising age-delaying drug that significantly reversed the aging-induced impaired activities of membrane-bound ATPases and altered levels of redox biomarkers.

Understanding quasi-apoptosis of the most numerous enucleated components of blood needs detailed molecular autopsy

Erythrocytes are the most numerous cells in human body and their function of oxygen transport is pivotal to human physiology. However, being enucleated, they are often referred to as a sac of molecules and their cellularity is challenged. Interestingly, their programmed death stands a testimony to their cell-hood. They are capable of self-execution after a defined life span by both cell-specific mechanism and that resembling the cytoplasmic events in apoptosis of nucleated cells. Since the execution process lacks the nuclear and mitochondrial events in apoptosis, it has been referred to as quasi-apoptosis or eryptosis. Several studies on molecular mechanisms underlying death of erythrocytes have been reported. The data has generated a non-cohesive sketch of the process. The lacunae in the present knowledge need to be filled to gain deeper insight into the mechanism of physiological ageing and death of erythrocytes, as well as the effect of age of organism on RBCs survival. This would entail how the most numerous cells in the human body die and enable a better understanding of signaling mechanisms of their senescence and premature eryptosis observed in individuals of advanced age.