Abstract
Aging is a complex phenomenon associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline (PTX) on the aging process and its underlying mechanisms. We treated D-galactose- (D-gal-) induced aging mice with PTX and measured the changes in behavior, degree of oxidative damage, and mitochondrial ultrastructure and content as well as the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2- (Nrf2-) mediated antioxidant genes and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha- (PGC-1α-) dependent mitochondrial biogenesis genes. The results demonstrated that PTX improved cognitive deficits, reduced oxidative damage, ameliorated abnormal mitochondrial ultrastructure, increased mitochondrial content and Nrf2 activation, and upregulated antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenesis gene expression in the hippocampus of wild-type aging mice. However, the above antiaging effects of PTX were obviously decreased in the brains of Nrf2-deficient D-gal-induced aging mice. Moreover, in hydrogen peroxide-treated SH-SY5Y cells, we found that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) and Nrf2/PGC-1α act in a linear way by CREB siRNA transfection. Thus, PTX administration improved the aging-related decline in brain function by enhancing antioxidative capability and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, which might depend on increasing Nrf2 and PGC-1α by activating the cAMP-CREB pathway.