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ISSN 2522-9028 (Print)
ISSN 2522-9036 (Online)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/fz

Fiziologichnyi Zhurnal

(English title: Physiological Journal)

is a scientific journal issued by the

Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Editor-in-chief: V.F. Sagach

The journal was founded in 1955 as
1955 – 1977 "Fiziolohichnyi zhurnal" (ISSN 0015 – 3311)
1978 – 1993 "Fiziologicheskii zhurnal" (ISSN 0201 – 8489)
1994 – 2016 "Fiziolohichnyi zhurnal" (ISSN 0201 – 8489)
2017 – "Fiziolohichnyi zhurnal" (ISSN 2522-9028)

Fiziol. Zh. 2025; 71(4): 46-57


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

  1. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv
  2. 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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