Oxidative stress in the brain of reproductive male rats during aging.
Reproduction alters the male physiology. We performed a comprehensive study to examine oxidative stress in the brains of male rats with (experienced) or without (naïve) reproductive activity during aging. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, aconitase, and aconitase reactivated, and by measuring lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, nitrite and nitrate levels, vitamin C levels, and glutathione (total, reduced, oxidized forms) levels in brain tissue, as well as testosterone and estradiol levels in serum. Reproductively active animals exhibited increased testosterone levels and aconitase activity, suggesting an increased metabolism. Increased antioxidant enzyme activities and increased levels of antioxidant compounds were observed, yet damage to biomolecules was also observed in experienced rats. During aging changes in oxidative stress were observed. We found higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, higher amounts of antioxidants, and more damage at six months of age among experienced animals than among naïve animals. Similar antioxidant activities and levels, and damage were found between the groups at twenty-four months of age. These results add comprehensive data regarding changes in oxidative stress during aging, and suggest an explanation for the costs of reproduction.
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Paulo Vinicius Gil
PV
Alabarse
Fernanda Schäfer
FS
Hackenhaar
Tássia Machado
TM
Medeiros
Marcus Fabiano Almeida
MF
Mendes
Paula Ramos
PR
Viacava
Artur Krumberg
AK
Schüller
Tiago Boeira
TB
Salomon
Guilherme
G
Ehrenbrink
Mara Silveira
MS
Benfato
D000154:Aconitate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000154:Aconitate Hydratase; D005978:Glutathione