Age-related changes in the rat brain mitochondrial antioxidative enzyme ratios: modulation by melatonin

Oxidative stress is an important factor for aging. The antioxidative enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) play a crucial role protecting the organism against the age-dependent oxidative stress. Glutathione (GSH) is present in nearly all living cells. GSH is one of the main antioxidants in the cell and it serves several physiological functions. Our purpose was to evaluate the age-related changes in mitochondrial GPx, GRd and SOD activities, and mitochondrial GSH pool in the brains of young (3 months) and aged rats (24 months). We also investigated whether melatonin administration influences these brain mitochondrial enzyme activities and GSH levels in young and aged rats. The results showed that GPx activity increased with age, whereas melatonin treatment decreased GPx activity in the aged rats at levels similar to those in young and young+melatonin groups. The activities of GRd and SOD, however, did not change with age. But, melatonin treatment increased SOD activity in the aged rats. GSH levels, which also increased with age, were not modified by melatonin treatment. The reduction in the SOD/GPx and GR/GPx ratios with age was prevented by melatonin administration. Together, our results suggest that the age-related oxidative stress in rat brain mitochondria is more apparent when the antioxidant enzyme ratios are analyzed instead of their absolute values. The antioxidative effects of melatonin were also supported by the recovery of the enzyme ratios during aging.