Effects of age on rat glutathione metabolism.
The authors hypothesized that rat plasma or tissue glutathione metabolism could change with age due to possible decreases in glutathione-related enzyme activities. To test this hypothesis, the authors measured plasma and tissue concentrations of glutathione and glutathione-related enzymes. Animals were 3 months, 12 months, or 24 months old at the time of experiments. Plasma glutathione was found to be significantly increased in both the 12-month-old and 24-month-old groups compared to the 3-month-old rats. Tissue enzyme measurements showed no significant differences between the groups in lung or liver glutathione peroxidase or glutathione S-transferase. gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase activity was significantly decreased in kidney and lung with aging. Decreases in tissue gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity occur with age; this may contribute to increases in plasma glutathione concentrations.
Jenkinson
S G
SG
Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio 78284-7885.
Duncan
C A
CA
Bryan
C L
CL
Lawrence
R A
RA
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000032:analysis
D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione