Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Changes in mitochondrial structure and function are closely linked with cell senescence.
OBJECTIVE: To sum up the influence of changes in mitochondrial biological characteristics on cell senescence.
METHODS: A computer-based search of Medline database was performed for articles about the influence of mitochondria and exercise on cell senescence published from January 1990 to June 2011 and the related articles published from January 1994 to June 2011 were searched in China Journal Full-text Database and Wanfang database.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Reactive oxygen species originated from the mitochondrial respiratory chain lead to increasing mitochondrial membrane permeability, reducing mitochondrial transmembrane potential and decreasing adenosine-triphosphate synthesis. Sustained oxidation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species increases the mitochondrial DNA damage, leads to serious damage in mitochondrial structure and function, and then promotes cellular senescence or even death. Aerobic training can significantly improve the body aerobic metabolism level, increase aerobic capacity, improve the activities of body mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme and matrix enzyme, reduce the glycolytic activity, mitochondrial oxidative damage and the rate of mitochondrial DNA deletion mutation. Therefore the mitochondrial adaptation and oxidative phosphorylation activity are improved. In training, reasonable arrangements of intermittent exercise should be considered as well as avoiding the cell damage of continuing decline in mitochondrial structure and function caused by high intensity training. It may play a positive role in delaying the cell aging and organism aging.