Selective remodeling of cardiolipin fatty acids in the aged rat heart.

Authors :: Lee HJ
Mayette J
Rapoport SI
Bazinet RP
Source :: Lipids in health and disease [Lipids Health Dis] 2006 Jan 23; Vol. 5, pp. 2. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Jan 23.
Publication Year :: 2006
Abstract: Background: The heart is rich in cardiolipin, a phospholipid acylated in four sites, predominately with linoleic acid. Whether or not aging alters the composition of cardiolipin acyl chains is controversial. We therefore measured the fatty acid concentration of cardiolipin in hearts of 4, 12 and 24 month old rats that consumed one diet, adequate in fatty acids for the duration of their life.<br />Results: The concentration (nmol/g) of linoleic acid was decreased in 24 month old rats (3965 +/- 617, mean +/- SD) vs 4 month old rats (5525 +/- 656), while the concentrations of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid were increased in 24 month old rats (79 +/- 9 vs 178 +/- 27 and 104 +/- 16 vs 307 +/- 68 for arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids, 4 months vs 24 months, respectively). Similar changes were not observed in ethanolamine glycerophospholipids or plasma unesterified fatty acids, suggesting specificity of these effects to cardiolipin.<br />Conclusion: These results demonstrate that cardiolipin remodeling occurs with aging, specifically an increase in highly unsaturated fatty acids.