Ectopic Lipid Accumulation and Reduced Glucose Tolerance in Elderly Adults Are Accompanied by Altered Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Activity

Abstract

Elderly adults show evidence of altered mitochondrial activity along with increased adiposity, oxidative stress, and reduced glucose tolerance, independent of obesity. We propose that mild uncoupling may be induced secondary to age-associated oxidative stress as a mechanism to dissipate the proton-motive force and protect against further reactive oxygen species production and damage.