Alpha-ketoglutarate stabilizes redox homeostasis and improves arterial elasticity in aged mice

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • T. Niemiec
  • J. Sikorska
  • Harrison, Adrian Paul
  • M. Szmidt
  • E. Sawosz
  • E. Wirth-Dzieciolowska
  • J. Wilczak
  • S. Pierzynowski

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a-ketoglutarate on redox state parameters and arterial elasticity in elderly mice. Mice in the control group were fed with standard diet, while the experimental animals received the diet supplemented either with calcium (Ca-AKG) or sodium salt of α-ketoglutarate (Na-AKG). The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups with 10 individuals in each: control I (12 months old), control II (2 months old), experimental group I fed with Ca-AKG (12 months old) and experimental group II fed with Na-AKG (12 months old). Mice treated with Ca-AKG as well as the control II animals demonstrated significantly higher level of total antioxidant status (TAS), comparing to the control I animals and those treated with Ca-AKG. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level in blood plasma was found significantly lower in young and Ca-AKG treated mice. TBARS liver concentration was significantly different in each examined group. The study also demonstrates the decrease in TBARS level in Ca- AKG treated animals. Treatment with Na-AKG significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity and decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase. The presented results suggest that Ca-AKG protects the organism against the free radicals related elderly processes. The study presents also the effect of Ca-AKG treatment on arterial elastic characteristics in elderly mice. The beneficial effect of Ca-AKG on ageing organisms was confirmed via redox state stabilization and blood vessel elasticity improvement.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Physiology and Pharmacology
Volume62
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)37-43
Number of pages7
ISSN0867-5910
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011

    Research areas

  • α-ketoglutarate, Aorta elasticity, Glutathione peroxidase, Reactive oxygen species, Redox, Superoxide dismutase, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, Total antioxidant status

ID: 316851958