LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN LIVERS AND BRAINS OF AGED RATS

The contribution of free radical damage to aging in the liver and brai n is still controversial. There have also been several reports with co nflicting results on the antioxidant system during aging. In this stud y, we investigated endogenous lipid peroxide levels in the liver and b rain tissues of rats aged 6 and 22 months together with ascorbate-indu ced lipid peroxidation. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathio ne peroxidase (GPx), the main antioxidant enzymes were assayed. Althou gh ascorbate-induced lipid peroxide levels remained unchanged in aged animals, hepatic lipid peroxidation was seen to be elevated. Glutathio ne (GSH) content was found to be decreased, but SOD and GPx remained u nchanged. No apparent difference in any parameter in brain tissues was observed in the old group. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.