Advanced glycation end-products as markers of aging and longevity in the long-lived Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli)

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2012 Jun;67(6):573-83. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glr208. Epub 2011 Dec 9.

Abstract

Mole-rat of the genus Fukomys are mammals whose life span is strongly influenced by reproductive status with breeders far outliving nonbreeders. This raises the important question of whether increased longevity of the breeders is reflected in atypical expression of biochemical markers of aging. Here, we measured markers of glycation and advanced glycation end-products formed in insoluble skin collagen of Ansell's mole-rat Fukomys anselli as a function of age and breeding status. Glucosepane, pentosidine, and total advanced glycation end-product content significantly increased with age after correction for breeder status and sex. Unexpectedly, total advanced glycation end-products, glucosepane, and carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) were significantly higher in breeders versus nonbreeders suggesting that breeders have evolved powerful defenses against combined oxidant and carbonyl stress compared with nonbreeders. Most interestingly, when compared with other mammals, pentosidine formation rate was lower in mole-rat compared with other short-lived rodents confirming previous observations of an inverse relationship between longevity and pentosidine formation rates in skin collagen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / analysis
  • Arginine / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Female
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced / analysis
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced / metabolism*
  • Longevity*
  • Lysine / analogs & derivatives
  • Lysine / analysis
  • Lysine / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Mole Rats / metabolism
  • Skin / chemistry

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • glucosepane
  • N(6)-carboxymethyllysine
  • Collagen
  • Arginine
  • pentosidine
  • Lysine