Age-linked Changes in the Activity of Enzymes of the Tricarboxylate Cycle and Lipid Oxidation, and of Carnitine Content, in Muscles of the Rat

The activities of citrate synthase, NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase were measured in homogenates of soleus, diaphragm and heart muscles of the rat, in an attempt to define potential tricarboxylate cycle activity and its response to aging. Activities were significantly decreased in 24-month animals versus 6-month controls in every case (except 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase in heart muscle). Age-linked decrements were greatest in the soleus and least in heart. Cytochrome oxidase was measured as an index of total respiratory chain activity and decreased significantly in each case, with the smallest decrease in the heart. Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and 3-hydroxyacyl-Co-A dehydrogenase were measured as an index of beta-oxidative activity; the former decreased in soleus and diaphragm, the latter in soleus and heart, with the decrease in the soleus being the greater. Carnitine acetyl- and palmitoyltransferases were measured, together with the muscle content of carnitine and acylcarnitine, as determining the potential rate of entry of acyl groups into the mitochondria for oxidation. Carnitine acetyltransferase activity was decreased with age in each of the muscles, but to the greatest extent in the heart. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase was decreased in both soleus and diaphragm. Carnitine content was decreased most in the soleus and the heart and to a lesser extent in the diaphragm. It is concluded that there is a generalized decline in oxidative activity in all of these muscles with age, on the basis of wet weight; this occurs to the greatest extent in the soleus and to the least extent in the heart. There is, in addition, a specific deficiency in the ability to oxidize fatty acids, relative to other substrates, in heart muscle.