Glucose utilization in sympathetic ganglia of male Fischer-344 rats at different ages.
The relation of glucose utilization to age was studied with the [14C]2-deoxy-D-glucose method in 3 peripheral sympathetic ganglia of conscious male Fischer-344 rats. The hypogastric ganglion, coeliac-mesenteric ganglion complex and superior cervical ganglion were examined in 3-, 12-, 24- and 30-33-month-old animals. Glucose utilization increased significantly between 12 and 30-33 months in the superior cervical ganglion and between 3 and 24 months in the coeliac-mesenteric ganglion complex. No significant, age-related changes were observed in the hypogastric ganglion. In addition, neuron density decreased significantly between 3 and 12 months in the hypogastric ganglion and between 3 and 30-33 months in the coeliac-mesenteric ganglion complex, but no changes were observed in the superior cervical ganglion. Despite the increased glucose utilization in the superior cervical ganglion, heart rate decreased between 12 and 24 months, and mean arterial blood pressure decreased between 24 and 30-33 months. The results suggest that functional activity of some sympathetic ganglia increases in older rats, although end organ effects may be reduced.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000378:metabolism*; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D001786:Blood Glucose