RESEARCH PAPER

AGING, Vol 1, No 4 , pp 389-401
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Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 inhibits age-dependent involution of the thymus in normal and senescence-prone rats

Lidia A. Obukhova1,3, Vladimir P. Skulachev2, and Natalia G. Kolosova1
1 Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
2 A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
3 Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 639090, Russia
Running title:
Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant inhibits thymic involution
Key words:
aging, thymus, progeric OXYS rats, mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant SkQ1
Received:
03/30/09; accepted: 04/20/09; published on line: 04/22/09
Correspondence:
E-mail:

Abstract

One of the most striking changes during mammal aging is a progressive involution of the thymus, associated with an increase in susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In order to delay age-related processes, we have developed mitochondria-targeted antioxidant plastoquinonyl decyltriphenyl phosphonium (SkQ1). Here we report that, at low doses, SkQ1 (250 nmol/kg per day) inhibited age-dependent involution of the thymus in normal (Wistar) and senescence-prone (OXYS) rats. SkQ1 preserved total weight and volume of the organ, the volume of thymic cortex and medulla, the thymic cellularity, and the number of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells in the thymus. Moreover, SkQ1 was especially effective in senescence-prone rats.   Thus SkQ1 slows down age-linked decline of the immune system, explaining prevention by this compound of infection-caused death in rodents, previously described in our group.

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