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- Title
Monoamine oxidase enzymes and oxidative stress in the rat optic nerve: age-related changes.
- Authors
Nebbioso, Marcella; Pascarella, Antonia; Cavallotti, Carlo; Pescosolido, Nicola
- Abstract
In this study, age-related changes in the monoamine oxidases ( MAO) were studied in the optic nerve ( ON) of both young and aged male rats. The aim of the study was to assess the role of MAO in age-related changes in the rat ON and explain the mechanisms of neuroprotection mediated by MAO-B-specific inhibitors. Fifteen three month old and fifteen 26 month old Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The animals were killed by terminal anaesthesia. Staining of MAO, quantitative analysis of images, biochemical assays and statistical analysis of data were carried out. Samples of the ON were washed in water, fixed in Bowen fluid, dehydrated and embedded in Entellan. Histological sections were stained for MAO-enzymatic activities. The specificity of the reaction was evaluated by incubating control sections in a medium either without substrate or without dye. The quantitative analysis of images was carried out at the same magnification and the same lighting using a Zeiss photomicroscope. The histochemical findings were compared with the biochemical results. After enzymatic staining, MAO could be demonstrated in the ON fibres of both young and aged animals; however, MAO were increased in the nerve fibres of the elderly rats. These morphological findings were confirmed biochemically. The possibility that age-related changes in MAO levels may be attributed to impaired energy production mechanisms and/or represent the consequence of reduced energy needs is discussed.
- Subjects
MONOAMINE oxidase; OXIDATIVE stress; LABORATORY rats; OPTIC nerve; ANESTHESIA; QUANTITATIVE research; ZEISS microscopes; SPRAGUE Dawley rats; GLYCERALDEHYDEPHOSPHATE dehydrogenase
- Publication
International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 2012, Vol 93, Issue 6, p401
- ISSN
0959-9673
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00832.x