Late onset administration of oral antioxidants prevents age-related loss of motor co-ordination and brain mitochondrial DNA damage

We have studied the effect of aging on brain glutathione redox ratio, on br ain mitochondrial DNA damage and on motor co-ordination in mice and the pos sible protective role of late onset administration of sulphur-containing an tioxidants. Glutathione redox ratios change to a more oxidized state in who le brain with aging but the changes are much more pronounced when this rati o is measured in brain mitochondria. The levels of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deo xyguanosine in mitochondrial DNA are much higher in the brain of old animal s than in those of young ones. Late onset oral administration of sulphur-co ntaining antioxidants partially prevents oxidation of mitochondrial glutath ione and DNA. There is an inverse relationship between age-associated oxida tive damage to mitochondrial DNA and motor co-ordination in old mice.