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Age-related changes in melatonin release in the murine distal colon.

ABSTRACT: Constipation and fecal impaction are conditions of the bowel whose prevalence increases with age. Limited information is known about how these conditions manifest; however, functional deficits are likely to be due to changes in signaling within the bowel. This study investigated the effects of age on colonic mucosal melatonin (MEL) release and the consequences this had on colonic motility. Electrochemical measurements of MEL overflow demonstrated that both basal and mechanically stimulated MEL release decreased with age. The MEL/serotonin also decreased with increasing age, and the trend was similar to that of MEL overflow, suggestive that age-related changes were primarily due to a reduction in MEL levels. Levels of N-acetylserotonin and the N-acetylserotonin/serotonin ratio were reduced with age, providing an explanation for the reduction in MEL release. Decreases in colonic motility were observed in animals between 3 and 24 months old. Exogenous application of MEL could reverse this deficit in aged colon. In summary, we propose that the age-related decline in MEL release may be due to either decreases or alterations in mechanosensory channels and/or a loss in levels/activity of the N-acetyltransferase enzyme responsible for the synthesis of N-acetylserotonin. Decreases in MEL release may explain the decreases in colonic motility observed in 24 month old animals and could offer a new potential therapeutic treatment for age-related constipation.

SUBMITTER: Diss LB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3656762 | biostudies-other | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Hui2014 - Age-related changes in articular cartilage This model is described in the article: Oxidative changes and signalling pathways are pivotal in initiating age-related changes in articular cartilage Wang Hui1, David A Young1, Andrew D Rowan1, Xin Xu2, Tim E Cawston1, Carole J Proctor1,3 Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Abstract: Objective: To use a computational approach to investigate the cellular and extracellular matrix changes that occur with age in the knee joints of mice. Methods: Knee joints from an inbred C57/BL1/6 (ICRFa) mouse colony were harvested at 3–30?months of age. Sections were stained with H&E, Safranin-O, Picro-sirius red and antibodies to matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), nitrotyrosine, LC-3B, Bcl-2, and cleaved type II collagen used for immunohistochemistry. Based on this and other data from the literature, a computer simulation model was built using the Systems Biology Markup Language using an iterative approach of data analysis and modelling. Individual parameters were subsequently altered to assess their effect on the model. Results: A progressive loss of cartilage matrix occurred with age. Nitrotyrosine, MMP-13 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK1) staining in cartilage increased with age with a concomitant decrease in LC-3B and Bcl-2. Stochastic simulations from the computational model showed a good agreement with these data, once transforming growth factor-? signalling via ALK1/ALK5 receptors was included. Oxidative stress and the interleukin 1 pathway were identified as key factors in driving the cartilage breakdown associated with ageing. Conclusions: A progressive loss of cartilage matrix and cellularity occurs with age. This is accompanied with increased levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis and MMP-13 and a decrease in chondrocyte autophagy. These changes explain the marked predisposition of joints to develop osteoarthritis with age. Computational modelling provides useful insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in age-related changes in musculoskeletal tissues. This model is hosted on BioModels Database and identified by: BIOMD0000000560. To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published quantitative kinetic models. To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain Dedication for more information.

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Age-related changes in melatonin release in the murine distal colon.

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