Age And Sex Shape Plasma Lipid Associations To Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration And H2O2 Emission
Our bodies are incredibly complex, and how they age can differ greatly between individuals. Recent research sheds light on a fascinating aspect of this: how the fats in our blood interact with the energy-producing powerhouses of our muscle cells, called mitochondria, and how this changes as we get older, depending on whether you are male or female.
This investigation revealed that the connections between various blood fats (lipids) and mitochondrial function—specifically, how efficiently they use oxygen to create energy (respiration) and how much hydrogen peroxide (a reactive molecule) they produce—are not universal. Instead, these relationships are distinctly shaped by both a person’s age and their biological sex.
For example, certain types of lipids, like ether-phospholipids and lysophospholipids, showed a decline with age only in men. In women, particularly after menopause, different patterns emerged, such as higher levels of certain fats called triacylglycerols and lower levels of others like lysoalkylphosphatidylcholine.
When looking at how these fats relate to mitochondrial energy production, the study found that specific lipids were linked to better energy output exclusively in men, while different fats were associated with reduced energy output in women. Similarly, the production of hydrogen peroxide, a byproduct of energy production that can be harmful in excess, was linked to different sets of lipids in men compared to women.
These findings underscore that aging affects our metabolism in a highly individualized way, with significant differences between sexes. Understanding these distinct “lipid signatures” can pave the way for more personalized approaches to maintaining muscle health and energy levels as we age.
Source: link to paper