The effect of aging on the mineral status of female SAMP1 and SAMR1

The effect of aging on the status of macrominerals and trace elements in ti ssues was studied using two strains (SAMP1 and SAMR1) of senescence acceler ated mouse. Two-month-old, 6-mo-old, and 10-mo-old female SAMP1 and SAMR1 m ice were fed a commercial diet. Iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, pho sphorus, sulfur, sodium, and potassium concentrations in blood, liver, kidn ey, brain, and tibia of the mice were determined. The copper concentration in the brain was significantly increased with age in SAMP1 and SAMR1. In ad dition, the brain copper levels in SAMP1 were significantly higher than tha t in SAMR1 at respective ages. The calcium concentration in the kidney was significantly increased with age, but the copper and phosphorus concentrati ons significantly decreased with age in SAMP1 and SAMR1. In the liver of SA MR1, all minerals measured in this study except for sodium and potassium we re significantly decreased with age. In addition, all mineral concentration s in the liver of 2-mo-old mice in SAMR1 except for copper and sodium were markedly higher than those in SAMP1 of the same age. These results suggest that the genetic factor is related to the age-associated mineral changes in tissues.