Omega-3 PUFAs Slow Organ Aging through Promoting Energy Metabolism

Energy metabolism dysfunction is highly connected with aging. Aged mice could exhibit multiple energy metabolism disorders, such as insulin resistance, inhibition of fatty acid degradation and lipid accumulation. PPARα is a key transcriptional factor regulating genes of fatty acid β-oxidation, playing a crucial role in lipid metabolism and ATP production. However, the role of PPARα in retarding organ aging has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the beneficial effects of Omega-3 PUFAs, endogenous agonists of PPARα, in naturally aging mice, accelerated aging mice as well as several kinds of cells cultures. Moreover, we performed studies in mfat-1 transgenic mice at 24 months of age to explore the anti-aging effects of Omega-3 PUFAs. We found that Omega-3 PUFAs and fat-1 gene restored fatty acid β-oxidation and ATP production, reduced lipid accumulation, inhibited age-related pathological changes, preserved organ functions to delay aging process. Our results suggest Omega-3 PUFAs is a promising therapeutic approach to promote healthy aging in the elderly. We performed transcriptomics sequencing analysis of kidney to further the beneficial effects of fat-1 gene in 24-month-old mice.