Effect of aging on the activities of acetylcholinesterase, Na+,K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase in rat pituitary and hypothalamus.
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Na+,K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities were estimated in homogenised rat pituitary and hypothalamus of 4- and 22-month-old rats. AChE activity was not altered in the pituitary of aged compared to adult rats, while it was found decreased by about 40% in the hypothalamus. Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity remained stable in the hypothalamus, while it was decreased by about 38% in the pituitary. Mg(2+)-ATPase activity remained unchanged in the hypothalamus, but was increased by about 83% in the pituitary. This pituitary Na+,K(+)-ATPase inactivation may result in pathological mood and decreased neural excitability and metabolic energy production in aged animals. The age-related alterations of AChE, Na+,K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities may reflect changes in secretion and responses of some hormones of pituitary and hypothalamus.
Tsakiris
S
S
Department of Experimental Physiology, University of Athens, Medical School, Greece.
Angelogianni
P
P
Stavridis
J C
JC
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase