Protective effects of 17β estradiol on altered age related neuronal parameters in female rat brain

Biological aging is a fundamental process observed in almost all living beings. During aging the brain experiences structural, molecular, and functional alterations. Aging in females and males is considered as the end of natural protection against age related diseases like osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These changes increase during menopausal condition in females when the level of estradiol is decreased. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-aging and protective potential of 17β estradiol (E2) treatment on activities of membrane linked ATPases (Na⁺K⁺ ATPase, Ca²⁺ATPase), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutases, glutathione-S-transferases), intrasynaptosomal calcium levels, membrane fluidity and neurolipofuscin in the brain of aging female rats of 3 months (young), 12 months (adult) and 24 months (old) age groups, and to see whether these changes are restored to normal levels after exogenous administration of E2 (0.1 μg/g body weight for one month).The results obtained in the present work revealed that normal aging was associated with significant decrease in the activities of membrane linked ATPases, antioxidant enzymes and an increase in neurolipofuscin, intrasynaptosomal calcium levels in brain of aging female rats. The present study showed that E2 treatment reversed the changes to near normal levels. E2 treatment appears to be beneficial in preventing some of the age related changes in the brain, an important anti-aging effect of the hormone.