Age-related changes of NA(+), K(+) - ATPase, Ca(+2) - ATPase and Mg(+2) - ATPase activities in rat brain synaptosomes

Cerebral metabolism of glucose, one of the determinants of tissue ATP level, is crucial for central nervous system function. The activity of P-type pumps, namely Na(+), K(+) - ATPase, Ca(+2) - ATPase and Mg (+2) - ATPase were examined in brain synaptosomes of 5 - day, 3 - month and 18 - month - old rats to determine if changes in enzyme activity related to aging are potentially associated with alterations in glucose homeostasis. Activities of all the ATPases studied in isolated brain synaptosomes were expressed in micromol of Pi liberated from ATP by 1 mg of synaptosome protein during one hour. Serum glucose concentration was measured by the glucose oxidase method and insulin level was estimated by the RIA. Our results demonstrate that 18 - month - old rats are characterized by hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Their serum glucose concentration was significantly increased approx. 62.3% and 135.8 % as compared to 3 - month - old rats and 5 - day, newborn rats, respectively. An enormous increase in serum insulin concentration in the old, hyperglycemic rats was observed concomitantly. As a result of these changes the insulin - to - glucose ratio in the old rats was greatly increased approx. (270% and 230%) compared to young, mature and newborn rats. Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia occurring in the old rats, had a different impact on activities of the ATPases tested. Our results have revealed that Na(+), K(+) - ATPase activity remains almost unchanged with age, the activity of Ca(+2) - ATPase decreases, whereas that of Mg(+2) - ATPase increases significantly in old, insulin resistant rats. In conclusion it seems that changes in activity of different P - type pumps may differ with aging and that adaptation of specific ATPases to internal environment alterations is not identical.