title: An acceleration of age-related increases in levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor in selected tissues from senescence-accelerated mice (SAM-P/8).
abstract: An investigation was made of age-related changes in levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) in selected tissues and of testosterone in serum in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM-P/8) and in the control mice (senesence-resistant mice; SAM-R/1). The concentrations of testosterone in serum were higher in SAM-P/8 than in SAM-R/1 at ages 2 and 4 mo. The level of beta-NGF in the thymus from SAM-R/1 increased with age, resulting in a statistically significant difference in its level between mice at ages 2 and 12 mo. By contrast, there was a transient increase in SAM-P/8 at around age 4 mo with a subsequent decrease. Consequently, significant differences were apparent in levels of beta-NGF between the two types of mouse at ages 2 and 4 mo. Similar results were obtained in the adrenal gland and testis. Compared to SAM-R/1 at age 2 mo, the average concentrations of beta-NGF in the hypophysis were higher in SAM-R/1 at ages 4 and 8 mo and in SAM-P/8 at all ages. In other tissues tested, no remarkable differences were detected. Our present results indicate that, in SAM-P/8, the elevation in levels of beta-NGF in the thymus, adrenal gland, testis, and hypophysis occurs in the early period of life compared to the control mice. Possible dysfunction of the disorder of hypophysis is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology and Biochemistry, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katoh-Semba
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Semba
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kashiwamata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000737:chemistry; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D013739:Testosterone