Actions of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in the mitochondria and their implications in aging

Mitochondrial activity and dynamics changes regarding metabolism in ageing and obesity

“…Changes in oestrogens levels can also modulate the genetic expression of mitochondrial factors and then, be also responsible of mitochondrial dysfunction effect in fat accumulation during ageing (Vasconsuelo et al, 2013). It has been proposed that estradiol and testosterone affect mitochondria during ageing through receptors located even in mitochondria.…”

“…It has been proposed that estradiol and testosterone affect mitochondria during ageing through receptors located even in mitochondria. These oestrogens would directly regulate nuclear DNA-encoded proteins and mitochondrial transcription factors affecting by this mechanism mitochondrial biogenesis (Vasconsuelo et al, 2013). It has been also proposed that mitochondrial genome contains sequences that are similar to those of nuclear hormone-responsive elements (Sekeris, 1990).…”

17β-Estradiol and testosterone in sarcopenia: Role of satellite cells

“…Although the molecular mechanisms responsible of sarcopenia have not been completely clarified, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, hormonal deregulation and apoptosis have shown to play important roles in age-dependent muscle atrophy (Hiona et al, 2010;Meng and Yu, 2010;Siu et al, 2008;review in Vasconsuelo et al, 2013). Oxidative damage in DNA, lipids, and proteins of aged human muscle, may contribute to age-dependent losses of muscle strength and resistance (review in Vasconsuelo et al, 2013). The measurement of markers of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins, some antioxidant enzyme activities as well Ca 2+ transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes subjected in muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis of young and elderly healthy subjects of both sexes, showed the presence of age-and sex-related differences (Fanò et al, 2001;Mecocci et al, 1999).…”

Aldo-keto Reductase 1B15 (AKR1B15)

“…Like the nuclear genome, the mitochondrial genome contains hormone-responsive elements (e.g. the estrogen response element), regulating the expression of important ribosomal and structural proteins, as well as mitochondrially encoded proteins of the oxidative phosphorylation system (64,66,67). In addition, several studies have shown that 17␤-estradiol protects the function of mitochondria in cells by reducing the amount of reactive oxygen species and therefore prevents cells from aging (64).…”

“…However, with the current data, the role of AKR1B15.1 in mitochondria can only be hypothesized. Different studies have shown that steroids and steroid receptors are present in mitochondria and affect their metabolism (63)(64)(65). One function of AKR1B15.1 may be the activation of the steroid signaling in mitochondria, as AKR1B15.1 catalyzes, among other reactions, the conversion of biologically low active estrone to highly active 17␤-estradiol, which binds to the mitochondrial estrogen receptor with high affinity (65).…”