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NGF restores decrease in catalase activity and increases superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in
G Nisticò1, M R Ciriolo, K Fiskin
1Department of Biology, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|January 1, 1992
Summary
This study investigated how aging affects antioxidant enzymes in rat brains and found that Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) treatment can restore declining enzyme activity, particularly catalase, in older animals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging leads to decreased antioxidant enzyme activity in the brain, potentially increasing oxidative stress.
- Key enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase play crucial roles in neutralizing reactive oxygen species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of aging on SOD, GSH-Px, and catalase activity across different rat brain regions.
- To evaluate the efficacy of intracerebroventricular Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) administration in modulating these enzyme activities in aging rats.
Main Methods:
- Assessed copper-zinc SOD, selenium-dependent GSH-Px, and catalase activity in 3-, 12-, and 24-month-old rats.
- Administered NGF (1 microgram daily for 28 days) intracerebroventricularly to assess its effects on enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- Aging differentially affected antioxidant enzyme activities across brain regions; copper-zinc SOD activity remained unchanged.
- NGF treatment significantly increased SOD activity in specific brain areas of aged rats.
- NGF administration restored catalase activity in aged rats to levels observed in young rats, while increasing selenium-dependent GSH-Px activity.
Conclusions:
- Long-term intraventricular NGF administration can enhance the activity of key antioxidant enzymes in the brains of aged animals.
- NGF shows potential in mitigating age-related decline in antioxidant defense mechanisms within the brain.