| Biology of Senescent Liver Peroxisomes: Role in Hepatocellular Aging and Disease Jihan Youssef and Mostafa Badr University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA Abstract
Despite rising interest in the health problems of the elderly, information on senescence-related alterations in essential metabolic pathways and their responses to various chemicals is scarce. Although peroxisomal pathways are involved in a multitude of cellular functions, little attention has been given to the potential relationship between senescence of these organelles and the process of aging and disease. Although the prevailing experimental evidence points to a decline in liver peroxisomal enzyme activities and a muted response to peroxisome-proliferating chemicals in aged animals, it is also evident that aged animals are more susceptible, in comparison to their young counterparts, to the hepatocarcinogenic effects of these chemicals. Furthermore, little is known about extraperoxisomal effects of peroxisome proliferators in aged animals. This review evaluates published studies on the impact of aging on basal hepatic peroxisomal metabolism, response to peroxisome proliferators, and changes in signal transduction pathways involved in these processes, with the aim of stimulating research efforts in this important area. The potential intricate relationship among senescent peroxisomes, aged hepatocytes, and health are also discussed. Key words: aging, peroxisomal disorders, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, peroxisomes. Environ Health Perspect 107:791-797 (1999) . [Online 31 August 1999] http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/107p791-797youssef/ abstract.html Address correspondence to M. Badr, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, M3-115, Kansas City, MO 64108-2792 USA. Telephone: (816) 235-1842. Fax: (816) 235-1776. E-mail: badrm@umkc.edu We thank B.S. Warren, J.A. Handler, and R.N. Miranda for their valuable suggestions in preparing this review. Aging studies in our laboratories are supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, CA/OD 74384. Received 10 March 1999 ; accepted 25 May 1999.
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