The more mitochondrial DNA, the longer life
Every living cell has mitochondria – organelles that ensure the vital activity of cells by supplying them with energy. Mitochondria divide like bacteria and have their own DNA (mtDNA).
mtDNA is believed to play an important role in energy production and maintenance of normal physiological functions of the cell. A decrease in the amount of mtDNA entails a violation of cellular functions and the development of various age-related diseases. Studies have shown that the cells of elderly individuals suffering from age-related diseases are characterized by a low content of mtDNA. It is also known that in centenarians, especially people who have crossed the centennial milestone, age-related diseases develop either at very late stages of life, or do not develop at all.
Based on this observation, the authors of the article Yong-Han He et al. Mitochondrial DNA content contributes to healthy aging in Chinese: a study from nonagenarians and centenarians, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, suggested that the cells of such people may be characterized by a special mtDNA profile that ensures long-term maintenance of normal functioning of mitochondria.
To test this hypothesis, they conducted a study involving 961 people, including 424 elderly and 537 young people living in the Chinese provinces of Hainan and Xihuan. Processing of the collected data revealed the existence of an inverse correlation between the amount of mtDNA and age in the group of participants from 40 to 70 years. To their surprise, the authors did not reveal a significant decrease in mtDNA content in the group of participants aged 90 to 100 years, as well as those who reached 100 years. In contrast, the oldest participants had significantly more mtDNA than participants aged 50-70 years. The results obtained indicate that the amount of mtDNA in cells can have a pronounced effect on human life expectancy by providing cells with sufficient energy.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Fight Aging!: More Mitochondrial DNA in Long-Lived Individuals.
24.02.2014