Superoxide dismutase in senescence-accelerated mouse retina

To examine the relationship between retinal ageing and superoxide dismutase , we studied the dismutase, with immunohistochemistry and immunoquantitativ e analysis, in the retina of senescence-accelerated mice P8/Ta (SAMP8/Ta) 3 and 12 months after birth. Accelerated senescence-resistant mice R1TA (SAM R1TA), which show no acceleration of senescence, were used as controls. In SAMP8/Ta, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and manganese superoxide dismuta se immunoreactivity in the photoreceptor inner segments, the outer nuclear layer and the inner nuclear layer increased earlier than in the controls. T he increase in both superoxide dismutases with age occurred not only in SAM P8/Ta retinas but also in the controls. In conclusion, we propose the possi bility that SAMP8/Ta undergo deterioration not only of learning and memory but also acceleration of senescence in the retina. The dismutases also appe ar to increase with normal ageing in the retina.