Characteristics of Age-related Ultrastructural Changes in Liver, Heart, and Lung Tissues of Old Rats
K.V. Rozova1, N.M. Vashchenko1, O.L. Fuchko2, N.A. Strutynska1
- Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv
- Uzhhorod National University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/fz71.04.046

Abstract
The study of the mechanisms of aging, a complex biological
process, remains a pressing issue. Aging involves not only
functional and structural alterations in organs but also the
mobilization of adaptive mechanisms. The aim of this study
was to identify both general and tissue-specific features of
ultrastructural changes in different organs of old (20 months)
rats. Liver, heart, and lung tissue sections from rats of various
ages were examined by electron microscopy. Morphometric
calculations were performed using the Image Tool Version 3
software (USA) on 130–150 microscopic fields for each effect
studied. In the liver tissue of old rats, an increased number of
areas containing granular endoplasmic reticulum with preserved
bound ribosomes and mitochondria-associated membranes
was observed; numerous glycogen granules were also found.
In the myocardium, the formation of micromitochondria was
noted, which may reflect compensatory responses aimed
at maintaining the energy capacity of the mitochondrial
apparatus. In the lung tissue, a significant number of dilated
endoplasmic reticulum cisterns were found, along with signs
of mitophagy activation. Such activation is ensured by the
formation of numerous primary lysosomes with subsequent
formation of a secondary autophagic type. Thus, age-related
ultrastructural changes are organ-specific and include both
pathological alterations and compensatory responses.
Keywords:
old rats; liver; lungs; heart; ultrastructure; MAMs; micromitochondria; mitochondrial dysfunction.
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