NF-kappaB activity decreases in basal forebrain of young and aged rats after hyperoxia

Hyperoxia is an oxidative stressor that triggers signaling cascades via changes in promoter activation by transcription factors. The transcription factor NF-kappaB has been shown to regulate transcription of many genes that play a role in inflammation and recovery from acute or chronic trauma. Here we describe the effects of hyperoxia on basal levels of NF-kappaB activity in young and aged rat forebrain. The results would suggest that chronic stress may have different effects on NF-kappaB basal activity levels as compared to the effects of an acute stress such as hyperoxia and that there is a diminished response to hyperoxia in the aged basal forebrain.