Increase in somatostatin immunoreactivity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of aged Wistar rats.
Decreased immunoreactivity has been reported for several neuropeptides in the aged suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We compared somatostatin (SS) and substance P (SP) immunoreactivity (ir) in aged (20-26 months) and young (6 months) Wistar rats. The old rat SCN revealed a significant increase in SSir (2.6-fold) and SPir. The results show that not all SCN-neuropeptidergic systems decline with age, and suggest a specific age-related role for SS in the SCN.
Biemans
Barbara A M
BA
Animal Behaviour, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN, Haren, The Netherlands. b.biemans@biol.rug.nl
Gerkema
Menno P
MP
Van der Zee
Eddy A
EA
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D007120:Immunochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D013004:Somatostatin