X-Message-Number: 27678
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 05:11:52 -0800 (PST)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: SAMe reverses age-induced damage in the test tube

Biogerontology. 2005;6(5):313-23.
Effect of S-adenosylmethionine on age-induced hepatocyte damage in old
Wistar rats.
    Aging is accompanied by changes in the morphology and physiology of
organs and tissues, such as the liver. This process might be due to the
accumulation of oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen (ROS) and
reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Hepatocytes are very rich in
mitochondria and have a high respiratory rate, so they are exposed to
large amounts of ROS and permanent oxidative stress. S-Adenosylmethionine
(SAMe) is an endogenous metabolite that has shown to exert protective
effects on different experimental pathological models in which free
radicals are involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect
of SAMe on age-induced damage in hepatocytes. For this purpose, male and
female Wistar rats of 18 and 2 months of age were used. Cells were
isolated and, after incubation in the presence or in the absence of SAMe,
different parameters were measured. Aging induced a significant increase
in nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and cGMP, and a reduction in reduced
glutathione, ATP and phosphatidylcholine synthesis, as well as in
methionine- adenosyl-transferase and methyl-transferase
activities. Incubation of old cells with SAMe prevented all these age-related
changes, reaching values in some of the parameters similar to those found
in young animals. In conclusion, SAMe seems to have beneficial effects
against age-induced damage in hepatocytes.

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=27678