The “Mix-Factor” is involved in the regulation of the organism's redox systems in the late stages of ontogenesis and affects the lifespan of animals

Abstract: the content of lipid hydroperoxides in the serum and liver mitochondria in animals in the late stages of ontogenesis (12 and 33 months old, Wistar male rats) was investigated. The possible effect of the food additive (“mix factor”) on these parameters in 33 months old animals, if they received this supplement from 22 months age daily throughout life in a dose of 0.05 - 0.06 ml / 100 g of body weight was determined. Moreover, the lifespan of animals was determined if they started taking a mix – factor from 22 months and from 30.5 months age. The influence of the mix – factor on the ability of old animals to perform work was determined in a separate series of experiments. It was shown that from 22 to 33 months the content of lipid hydroperoxides in mitochondria and serum increased by 23% and 41%, respectively. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in the serum, mitochondria and erythrocytes decreased, and the activity of glutathione reductase decreased only in the post-mitochondrial fraction of the liver. At the same time, malate– isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphate dehydrogenase remained unchanged in 33 months old animals compared with 12 months old animals. If animals from 22 months age received a mix factor with drinking water in a dose of 0.05-0.06 mg / 100 g of body weight every day until the end of life, the content of lipid hydroperoxides and the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase of 33 months old animals did not differ from 12 months old animals. The survival curve in animals receiving the mix factor was shifted to the right from 25 to 28 months of age compared with the survival curve of control animals. If animals began to receive the mix – factor at a very old age (from 30.5 months age) until the end of life, their lifespan was longer than that of the control animals. The last ones lived to 41 months, while the animals of the control group lived to 36 months. At the same time, the mix – factor increased the ability of old animals to do work in the test “running in treadmill”. Key words: aging, redox-system, geroprotectors, lifespan