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- Title
The effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid on cytochrome c oxidase activity in mouse liver.
- Authors
Ogura, Shun-ichiro; Maruyama, Kouji; Hagiya, Yuichiro; Sugiyama, Yuta; Tsuchiya, Kyoko; Takahashi, Kiwamu; Abe, Fuminori; Tabata, Kenji; Okura, Ichiro; Nakajima, Motowo; Tanaka, Tohru
- Abstract
Background: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a precursor of heme that is fundamentally important in aerobic energy metabolism. Among the enzymes involved in aerobic energy metabolism, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is crucial. In this study, the effect of ALA on cytochrome c oxidase activity was measured. Findings: c57BL/6N species of mice were administered ALA orally for 15 weeks. After ALA administration, mice were sacrificed and livers were obtained. COX activity in mitochondria from ALA-administered mouse livers was 1.5-fold higher than that in mitochondria from PBS-administered mouse livers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ATP levels in ALA-administered mouse livers were much higher than those in PBS-administered mouse livers. These data suggest that oral administration of ALA promotes aerobic energy metabolism, especially COX activity. Conclusions: This is the first report of a drug that functions in aerobic energy metabolism directly. Since COX activity is decreased in various diseases and aging, the pharmacological effects of ALA will be expanding.
- Publication
BMC Research Notes, 2011, Vol 4, Issue 1, p66
- ISSN
1756-0500
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/1756-0500-4-66