healthfully feeding mitochondria

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Neurochem Res. 2008 Jan;33(1):194-203. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

*The effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial nutrient alpha-lipoic acid

on improving age-associated mitochondrial and cognitive dysfunction: an

overview.*

Liu J.

Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia,

University of California, 1261 Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility

Irvine, CA 92697, USA.

We have identified a group of nutrients that can directly or indirectly

protect mitochondria from oxidative damage and improve mitochondrial

function and named them " mitochondrial nutrients " . The direct protection

includes preventing the generation of oxidants, scavenging free radicals

or inhibiting oxidant reactivity, and elevating cofactors of defective

mitochondrial enzymes with increased is-Menten constant to

stimulate enzyme activity, and also protect enzymes from further

oxidation, and the indirect protection includes repairing oxidative

damage by enhancing antioxidant defense systems either through

activation of phase 2 enzymes or through increase in mitochondrial

biogenesis. In this review, we take alpha-lipoic acid (LA) as an example

of mitochondrial nutrients by summarizing the protective effects and

possible mechanisms of LA and its derivatives on age-associated

cognitive and mitochondrial dysfunction of the brain. LA and its

derivatives improve the age-associated decline of memory, improve

mitochondrial structure and function, inhibit the age-associated

increase of oxidative damage, elevate the levels of antioxidants, and

restore the activity of key enzymes. In addition, co-administration of

LA with other mitochondrial nutrients, such as acetyl-L: -carnitine and

coenzyme Q10, appears more effective in improving cognitive dysfunction

and reducing oxidative mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore,

administrating mitochondrial nutrients, such as LA and its derivatives

in combination with other mitochondrial nutrients to aged people and

patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, may be an effective

strategy for improving mitochondrial and cognitive dysfunction.

PMID: 17605107