Differential growth inhibition of human diploid fibroblasts by 2-deoxyglucose and antimycin A with ageing in vitro.

The relative growth inhibitory effects of 2-deoxyglucose and antimycin A were monitored at five stages during the life-span in vitro of human diploid fibroblasts. A marked age-dependent response was observed with 2-deoxyglucose but not with antimycin A. The results confirm an increase in the rate of glycolysis with ageing, which appears to be independent of cellular mitochondrial respiratory chain capacity. This may be associated with reduced utilization of the hexose monophosphate shunt and a consequent decline in the availability of ribose moieties for nucleic acid biosynthesis.