[Age-related changes in the lymphocytes as a model of aging].

Lymphocytes of spleen and lymph nodes of Wistar rats and CBA/Ca mice, as well as human peripheric lymphocytes have shown similar age related alterations. These alterations appeared in form of the loss of the mitochondrial christae which were replaced by myelin-like figures or filamentous structure. In some cases lymphocytes contained electron lucid material and giant mitochondria. These mitochondrial changes were seen in human T-lymphocytes. Authors believe that lymphocytes represent a suitable model for the study of the process of aging and also for testing factors influencing it.