title: NGF restores decrease in catalase and increases glutathione peroxidase activity in the brain of aged rats.
abstract: The effects of subchronic administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) into the lateral ventricle on catalase and selenium-dependent glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in several areas of the brain in 3-, 12- and 24-month-old rats were studied. NGF given daily (1 microgram for 28 consecutive days) produced in all brain areas studied a significant increase in catalase activity in 12- and 24-month-old rats. The most important finding was a complete restoration in 12- and 24-month-old rats of catalase activity to levels similar to those occurring in young (3-month-old) rats. In addition, NGF produced in comparison to 3-month-old rats and to same age vehicle-treated rats a significant increase in selenium-dependent GSH-Px in all the brain areas studied in 12- and 24-month-old animals, whereas selenium-independent GSH-Px was unaffected. In conclusion, the present results show that long-term administration of NGF into the lateral ventricle significantly increases in old animals the activity of key enzymes involved in the metabolic degradation of hydrogen peroxide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nisticò
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ciriolo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fiskin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iannone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotilio
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium