Measurement of F(2)-isoprostanes unveils profound oxidative stress in aged rats.
Free radicals have been theorized to play a causative role in the normal aging process. To date, methods used to detect oxidative stress in aged experimental animals have only detected 2- to 3-fold differences or less between young and aged animals. Measurement of F(2)-isoprostanes has emerged as probably the most reliable approach to assess oxidative stress status in vivo. Therefore, we measured levels of F(2)-isoprostanes free in plasma and levels esterified in plasma lipids in young rats (3-4 months of age) and aged rats (22-24 months of age). Plasma concentrations of free F(2)-isoprostanes were increased dramatically by a mean of 20.3-fold (range 4.3 to 42.9-fold) and levels esterified in plasma lipids were also strikingly increased by a mean of 29.9-fold (range 15.8 to 50.0-fold). These findings unveil profound oxidative stress in aged rats which adds considerable support for the free radical theory of aging.
Roberts
L J
LJ
Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. jack.roberts@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Reckelhoff
J F
JF
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D028441:F2-Isoprostanes; D015237:Dinoprost