News tagged "Mitochondria" - Geres Dengle®
Posted in Autophagy, Glucoraphanin, Longevity, Mitochondria, Mitophagy, Nrf2, Nrf2 Activator, Stem Cells, Sulforaphane
Mitophagy - Maintaining Mitochondria & Stem Cell Renewal for Regenerative Longevity
MITOPHAGY AND LONGEVITY
Cellular homeostasis, which significantly includes mitochondria function, is critical for longevity. Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of the cell and are essential cellular elements for health and longevity. As part of aging, the mitochondria accumulate damage which decreases cellular vitality while increasing dysfunction. Mitophagy is the ability to clean the cell of damaged mitochondria which, if left to accumulate, would cause irreversible loss of cellular energy. Dysfunctional mitochondria can lead to cellular death, degenerative diseases and shorten the lifespan.
Mitophagy is essential for longevity. Higher activity levels of mitophagy in the cell has been linked to significant increases in longevity in research animals. Improved aging and extended longevity is correlated with a proper balance of mitochondria biogenesis and mitophagy.(1) Age-related decreases in mitophagy result in the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and a decrease in mitochondria biogenesis,
Mitophagy and Autophagy. Mitophagy is the selective degradation of the mitochondria by cellular process known as autophagy. Autophagy is the cellular process used to remove damaged cellular organelles and debris. Increased autophagy is known as a critical component in cellular survival and longevity. Enhanced levels of autophagy is considered a major factor in the increased longevity in long lived animals.(2)
NRF2 - THE ROLE IN MITOPHAGY AND LONGEVITY Nrf2 is a latent protein in the cell, which upon activation, regulates the activation of genes which produce antioxidant proteins for cellular protection, reduction of inflammation and reduction of mitochondrial toxins (via glutathione induction).
Nrf2 Increases Mitochondria Biogenesis and Mitophagy. .
Stem Cells - The basis for extreme longevity. Extreme lifespans are based on the ability to regenerate new cells to replace damaged cells. This is the function of stem cells. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells which, when needed, can differentiate into replacement cells in the body. Examples where stem cells differentiate into new functional cells include cardiomyoctyes (heart cells) and neurons in the brain. Sources of stem cells include a stem cell pool, whereby stem cells undergo a self-renewal (making new stem cell cells) which supply this pool. Additionally there are specific stem cells such as neural stem cells which can produce new neurons in the brain. Aging, and the dysfucntion of stem cell mitochondria, decrease the functional ability of stem cell self renewal and the regeneration ability of stem cells into cells such as neurons.
Nrf2 Protects Stem Cells Capacity for Self-Renewal and Differentiation, When levels of Nrf2 are decreased, stem cells and progenitor cells, lose their function for the self renewal and regeneration of cells.. An example of this is seen in neural stem cells in the brain where the ability to stimulate new neuron growth from stem cells is inhibited when nrf2 levels are low. Researchers believe that nrf2 promotes healthy mitochondria in the stem cells which in turn reverses age related decline in stem cell ability to self-renew and to regenerate new cells. Therefore, nrf2 activation is significant in stem cell self renewal as well as cellular regeneration, including cardiomyocyte regeneration and preserving the function of neural stem cells.(5,6)
SULFORAPHANE is a natural and potent Nrf2 Activator and helps maintain youthful and healthy mitochondria. (4, 7)
SULFORAPHANE - BEYOND Nrf2. In addition to providing Nrf2 activation, sulforaphane helps block damage to the mitochondria through non-Nrf2 mechanisms. Sulforaphane supports mitochondria hyperfusion, which is cytoprotective and prevents the formation of pores in the mitochondria.(8)
(1) Palikaras K, et al. Mitophagy: In sickness and in health. Mol Cell Oncol. 2015 Jun.
(2) Palikaras K, et al. Coupling mitogenesis and mitophagy for longevity. Autophagy. 2015.
(3) LaPierre L, et al. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of autophagy in aging. Autophagy. 2015 Jun
(4) Greco T, et al. Sulforaphane Inhibits Mitochondrial Permeability Transition and Oxidative Stress. Free Radic Biol Med, 2012 Dec
(5) Holstrom Kira, et al. The multifaceted role of Nrf2 in mitochondrial function. Curr Opin Toxicol. 2016 Dec
(6) Wang K, et al. Redox homeostasis: the linchpin in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Cell Death Dis. 2013 Mar
(7) Russo M, et al. Nrf2 targeting by sulforaphane: a potential therapy for cancer treatment. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016 Dec
(8) O'Mealey GB, et al. Sulforaphane is a Nrf2-independent inhibitor of mitochondrial fission. Redox Biol. 2016 Nov