A combination of chicken embryo extract and a nutritional supplement protect a rat model of aging against D-galactose-induced dysfunction of mitochondria and autophagy

Aging process is usually associated with increased oxidative stress and deficiency of tissues and organs, which causes decline in life quality of individuals. Some anti-oxidant factors derived from foods have been implicated in delaying senescence and sustaining health. The present study aimed to assess the anti-aging effect and underlying mechanism of combined application of chicken embryo (CE) extract and nutritional mixture (NM) of 52 ingredients on aging process of D-galactose (D-gal)-induced rats. After 90 days treatment, we observed that CE plus NM administration significantly improved body weight, visceral indexes and histological damage of aging rats. The use of CE or NM alone also exhibited a similar effect, but not as effective as united use of CE+NM. In addition, extra nutrients promoted mitochondria function of D-dalactose-induced rats. With CE+NM supplement, cells from senescent rats showed declined accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased level of mitochondrial membrane potential, an elevated number of mitochondria, as well as morphologic change towards normal when compared to un-treated group. Furthermore, autophagosomes and autophagy-related proteins were up-regulated in aging rats upon exposure to CE+NM. These results indicate the critical role played by CE+NM in promoting the function of mitochondria and autophagy, therefore regulating the aging process in rats. Our study provides a novel compound design of nutrional support to achieve an optimal nutritional status for anti-oxidation and slowing down aging.