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Age-related changes in the antioxidative potential of cerebral microvessels
1St. Louis VA Medical Center, MO, USA.
Abstract:
To determine if aging in rats is associated with increased susceptibility of cerebral microvessels to oxidative damage microvessels from the cerebrum of 4-, 12-, 18- and 26-month-old male Fischer 344 rats were studied. The malondialdehyde (MDA) (micrograms/mg protein) content of cerebral microvessels from 12-month-old rats (0.032 +/- 0.002) was significantly higher than that in 4-month-old rats (0.020 +/- 0.015) P < 0.01. The difference between 26-month-old (0.025 +/- 0.002) and 4-month-old rats did not reach statistical significance. The antioxidative potential was measured in the presence of a peroxy radical generator 2,2'-azobis(2-amidionopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH) with monitoring of the fluorescence of phycoerythrin at 37 degrees C. The free radical quenching activity of cerebral microvessels expressed as % inhibition of phycoerythrin oxidation by AAPH was significantly reduced in 12-month-old (33.6 +/- 4.6%) and 18-month-old rats (26.9 +/- 1.4%) compared with 4-month-old rats (54.3 +/- 4.9%) (P < 0.01). The 26-month-old rats (46.4 +/- 4.6%) were not significantly different from 4-month-old rats. It is concluded that aging is associated with increased lipid peroxidation byproducts in cerebral microvessels along with a transient decrease in their antioxidative capacity.
Insights
Aging in rats increases oxidative damage in cerebral microvessels, indicated by higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Antioxidative capacity also decreases transiently with age, impacting brain health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aging is a complex process associated with increased oxidative stress.
- Cerebral microvessels are crucial for brain health and function.
- Oxidative damage to microvessels may contribute to age-related cognitive decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between aging and oxidative damage in rat cerebral microvessels.
- To assess changes in antioxidative capacity of cerebral microvessels during aging.
Main Methods:
- Cerebral microvessels were isolated from male Fischer 344 rats of different ages (4, 12, 18, and 26 months).
- Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were quantified.
- Antioxidative potential was measured by assessing the inhibition of phycoerythrin oxidation using a free radical generator (AAPH).
Main Results:
- MDA content in cerebral microvessels was significantly higher in 12-month-old rats compared to 4-month-old rats.
- Antioxidative activity was significantly reduced in 12- and 18-month-old rats compared to 4-month-old rats.
- These markers did not show significant differences in the oldest (26-month-old) group compared to the youngest.
Conclusions:
- Aging in rats is associated with increased lipid peroxidation byproducts in cerebral microvessels.
- A transient decrease in the antioxidative capacity of cerebral microvessels occurs during aging.
- These findings suggest that oxidative stress in cerebral microvasculature is a component of the aging process in rats.