Childhood adverse life events and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function
Kate A. Duchowny, David J. Marcinek, Theresa Mau, L. Grisell Diaz-Ramierz, Li-Yung Lui, Frederico G. S. Toledo, Peggy M. Cawthon, Russell T. Hepple, Philip A. Kramer, Anne B. Newman, Stephen B. Kritchevsky, Steven R. Cummings, Paul M. Coen, Anthony J. A. Molina- Multidisciplinary
Social stress experienced in childhood is associated with adverse health later in life. Mitochondrial function has been implicated as a mechanism for how stressful life events “get under the skin” to influence physical well-being. Using data from the Study of Muscle, Mobility, and Aging ( n = 879, 59% women), linear models examined whether adverse childhood events (i.e., physical abuse) were associated with two measures of skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics in older adults: (i) maximal adenosine triphosphate production (ATP max ) and (ii) maximal state 3 respiration (Max OXPHOS). Forty-five percent of the sample reported experiencing one or more adverse childhood events. After adjustment, each additional event was associated with −0.08 SD (95% confidence interval = −0.13, −0.02) lower ATP max . No association was observed with Max OXPHOS. Adverse childhood events are associated with lower ATP production in later life. Findings indicate that mitochondrial function may be a mechanism for understanding how early social stress influences health in later life.