Effect of age on vitamin E concentrations in various regions of the brain and a few selected peripheral tissues of the rat, and on the uptake of radioactive vitamin E by various regions of rat brain

Age-related changes in adipose tissue metabolomics and inflammation, cardiolipin metabolism, and ferroptosis markers in female aged rat model

Aging adipose tissue exhibits elevated inflammation and oxidative stress that are major sources of age-related metabolic dysfunction. However, the exact metabolic changes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress are unclear. To address this topic, we assessed variation in metabolic phenotypes of adipose tissue from 18 months adult sedentary (ASED), 26 months old sedentary (OSED), and 8 months young sedentary (YSED). The results of metabolomic analysis showed that ASED and OSED group had higher palmitic acid, elaidic acid, 1-heptadecanol, and α-tocopherol levels than YSED, but lower sarcosine levels. Furthermore, stearic acid was specifically elevated in ASED compared with YSED. Cholesterol was upregulated specifically in the OSED group compared with YSED, whereas linoleic acid was downregulated. In addition, ASED and OSED had more inflammatory cytokines, lower antioxidant capacity, and higher expression of ferroptosis-related genes than YSED. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction associated with abnormal cardiolipin synthesis was more pronounced in the OSED group. In conclusion, both ASED and OSED can affect the FA metabolism and increase oxidative stress in adipose tissue, leading to inflammation. In particular, linoleic acid content specifically decreases in OSED, which associated with abnormal cardiolipin synthesis and mitochondrial dysfunction in adipose tissue.

Vitamin transporters in mice brain with aging

Its high metabolic rate and high polyunsaturated fatty acid content make the brain very sensitive to oxidative damage. In the brain, neuronal metabolism occurs at a very high rate and generates considerable amounts of reactive oxygen species and free radicals, which accumulate inside neurons, leading to altered cellular homeostasis and integrity and eventually irreversible damage and cell death. A misbalance in redox metabolism and the subsequent neurodegeneration increase throughout the course of normal aging, leading to several age-related changes in learning and memory as well as motor functions. The neuroprotective function of antioxidants is crucial to maintain good brain homeostasis and adequate neuronal functions. Vitamins E and C are two important antioxidants that are taken up by brain cells via the specific carriers αTTP and SVCT2, respectively. The aim of this study was to use immunohistochemistry to determine the distribution pattern of these vitamin transporters in the brain in a mouse model that shows fewer signs of brain aging and a higher resistance to oxidative damage. Both carriers were distributed widely throughout the entire brain in a pattern that remained similar in 4-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old mice. In general, αTTP and SVCT2 were located in the same regions, but they seemed to have complementary distribution patterns. Double-labeled cell bodies were detected only in the inferior colliculus, entorhinal cortex, dorsal subiculum, and several cortical areas. In addition, the presence of αTTP and SVCT2 in neurons was analyzed using double immunohistochemistry for NeuN and the results showed that αTTP but not SVCT2 was present in Bergmann's glia. The presence of these transporters in brain regions implicated in learning, memory and motor control provides an anatomical basis that may explain the higher resistance of this animal model to brain oxidative stress, which is associated with better motor performance and learning abilities in old age.

Vitamin E trafficking in neurologic health and disease

Vitamin E was identified almost a century ago as a botanical compound necessary for rodent reproduction. Decades of research since then established that of all members of the vitamin E family, α-tocopherol is selectively enriched in human tissues, and it is essential for human health. The major function of α-tocopherol is thought to be that of a lipid-soluble antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to biological components. As such, α-tocopherol is necessary for numerous physiological processes such as permeability of lipid bilayers, cell adhesion, and gene expression. Inadequate levels of α-tocopherol interfere with cellular function and precipitate diseases, notably ones that affect the central nervous system. The extreme hydrophobicity of α-tocopherol poses a serious thermodynamic barrier for proper distribution of the vitamin to target tissues and cells. Although transport of the vitamin shares some steps with that of other lipids, selected tissues evolved dedicated transport mechanisms involving the α-tocopherol transfer protein (αTTP). The critical roles of this protein and its ligand are underscored by the debilitating pathologies that characterize human carriers of mutations in the TTPA gene.

Mice lacking alpha-tocopherol transfer protein gene have severe alpha-tocopherol deficiency in multiple regions of the central nervous system

Ataxia with vitamin E deficiency is caused by mutations in alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) gene and it can be experimentally generated in mice by alpha-TTP gene inactivation (alpha-TTP-KO). This study compared alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) concentrations of five brain regions and of four peripheral organs from 5 months old, male and female, wild-type (WT) and alpha-TTP-KO mice. All brain regions of female WT mice contained significantly higher alpha-T than those from WT males. alpha-T concentration in the cerebellum was significantly lower than that in other brain regions of WT mice. These sex and regional differences in brain alpha-T concentrations do not appear to be determined by alpha-TTP expression which was undetectable in all brain regions. All the brain regions of alpha-TTP-KO mice were severely depleted in alpha-T. The concentration of another endogenous antioxidant, total glutathione, was unaffected by gender but was decreased slightly but significantly in most brain regions of alpha-TTP-KO mice. The results show that both gender and the hepatic alpha-TTP, but not brain alpha-TTP gene expression are important in determining alpha-T concentrations within the brain. Interestingly, functional abnormality (ataxia) develops only very late in alpha-TTP-KO mice in spite of the severe alpha-tocopherol deficiency in the brain starting at an early age.

Apolipoprotein E exerts selective and differential control over vitamin E concentrations in different areas of mammalian brain

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is known to be a risk factor for the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, vitamin E has been reported to have a role in the treatment of AD. We examined the potential interrelationship between vitamin E and apoE in brain. As the first step, we determined the concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in selected brain regions of apoE-deficient mice at different ages. The mice were fed normal rodent chow. All regions of the brain in apoE-deficient mice contained less alpha-tocopherol than control samples at 2.5 months of age, the initial time of study. This trend continued for 9.5 months for most regions except the spinal cord and cerebellum. Tocopherol levels in these latter regions of apoE-deficient animals increased to control levels during the study. Serum alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol levels were high in the apoE-deficient animals; however, the CNS cholesterol levels were the same in apoE-deficient and control mice. This suggests that 1) the decline in brain alpha-tocopherol in apoE deficiency is not due to overall alterations in lipid metabolism; and 2) the processing of alpha-tocopherol in brain follows a separate pathway than that of cholesterol. Subcellular concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were unaltered by apoE deficiency indicating that intracellular handling of tocopherol is not affected by apoE. ApoE may be an important protein controlling vitamin E levels in specific brain regions. Further understanding of the interactions between apoE and vitamin E could be important in the appropriate use of vitamin E in AD.

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase activity and vitamin E level in the liver microsomal membrane: effects of age and dietary alpha-linolenic acid deficiency

Age and diet-induced variations of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) activity and alpha-tocopherol concentration in the liver microsomal membrane were studied in male Wistar rats fed a semipurified diet either balanced in n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Control) or deprived of alpha-linolenic acid, i.e. n-3 PUFA (Deficient) over two generations. The animals were studied at the age of 6 months (adult) or 24 months (old). Both PHGPx activity and vitamin E level were significantly higher in 24-month old rats as compared to 6-month old rats. By contrast, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) following stimulated in vitro peroxidation of membrane lipids were markedly lower (P < 0.01) with aging. The fatty acid composition of microsomal membrane phospholipids (PL) was also considerably modified by age. In particular, the levels of arachidonic acid and total n-6 PUFA were lower (P < 0.001) whereas n-3 PUFA levels were higher (P < 0.001) in most PL main classes. The alpha-linolenic acid deficiency markedly influenced these age-related changes. The higher PHGPx activity in the old rats as compared to the adult rats was only significant in those fed the control diet. In the 6-month old rats (but not in the 24-month old rats), the deficient diet led to a higher membrane vitamin E level and to lower TBARS production than the control diet. The results suggest that the nature of dietary PUFA may influence the age-related variations in this pair of membrane antioxidants and also in the fatty acid composition of microsomes.

Effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on neural antioxidants in aged rats

The effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were evaluated in various brain regions of young and aged rats. In aged rats, the levels of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and glutathione were low whereas the lipid peroxidation rate, as revealed by malonaldehyde content, was found to be high. Lipoic acid, an antioxidant, was administered intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 7 and 14 days. Lipoate-administered aged rats brought about reduction in lipid peroxidation and elevation in the levels of antioxidants. The modulatory effect of lipoate in decreasing age-associated alterations observed in our study proves its role as a potent antioxidant in the brain of aged rats.

Time-level relationship for lipid peroxidation and the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol in experimental mild and severe brain injury

OBJECTIVE

Oxygen free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation has been proposed to be one of the major mechanisms of secondary damage in traumatic brain injury. The first purpose of this study was to establish the time-level relationship for lipid peroxidation in injured brain tissue. The second purpose was to examine the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol against lipid peroxidation.

METHODS

For this study, 65 guinea pigs in five groups were studied. Five of the animals were identified as a control group, and the remaining 60 animals were divided equally into four groups (Groups A, B, C, and D). Mild injury (200 g x cm) (Groups A and C) and severe injury (1000 g x cm) (Groups B and D) were produced by the method of Feeney et al. Alpha-tocopherol (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally before brain injury in Groups C and D. Five animals from each group were killed immediately after trauma, five after 1 hour, and the remaining five animals after 36 hours. Lipid peroxidation in traumatized brain tissues was assessed using the thiobarbituric acid method.

RESULTS

In all groups with traumatic brain injuries, levels of malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation product, were higher than in the control group. The amount of lipid peroxidation was increased by the severity of the trauma. Alpha-tocopherol significantly suppressed the rise in lipid peroxide levels in traumatized brain tissues.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that lipid peroxidation is increased by the severity of trauma and that alpha-tocopherol has a protective effect against oxygen free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in mild and severe brain injury.

Dietary supplementation with vitamin E reverses the age-related deficit in long term potentiation in dentate gyrus

Long term potentiation (LTP) in dentate gyrus is impaired in aged rats, and this has been associated with an age-related decrease in membrane arachidonic acid concentration. In this study, we considered whether the trigger for this age-related decrease in arachidonic acid might be increased lipid peroxidation stimulated by the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta. Groups of aged and young rats were fed on a control diet or a diet supplemented with alpha-tocopherol and assessed for their ability to sustain LTP. Aged rats fed on the control diet exhibited an impaired ability to sustain LTP and analysis of tissue prepared from these rats exhibited increased interleukin-1beta, increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased membrane arachidonic acid concentration compared with young rats fed on either diet. Aged rats fed on the supplemented diet sustained LTP in a manner indistinguishable from young rats, and the age-related increases in interleukin-1beta and lipid peroxidation and the decrease in membrane arachidonic acid concentration were all reversed. We propose that interleukin-1beta may be the trigger that induces these age-related changes and may therefore be responsible for the deficit in long term potentiation in aged rats. The observation that alpha-tocopherol reverses these changes is consistent with the hypothesis that some age-related changes in hippocampus might derive from oxidative stress.

Aging is associated with a decrease in synaptosomal glutamate uptake and an increase in the susceptibility of synaptosomal vitamin E to oxidative stress

We examined the influence of aging upon the uptake of glutamate by synaptosomes, and the oxidation of synaptosomal vitamin E. Synaptosomes isolated from the cerebral hemispheres of Fischer 344 rats, 4 and 24 months old, were suspended at 37 degrees C in buffer (pH 7.4) simulating extracellular fluid containing 10 mM glucose. The Km for the high affinity uptake of tritium labeled glutamate was approximately 10 microM. The uptake of glutamate was lower in synaptosomes from older animals than those from younger animals for periods of up to 20 minutes. Upon incubation with a mixture of ferrous iron and ascorbate, more of the alpha tocopherol in synaptosomes derived from older rats was oxidized than in those derived from younger ones. Older animals may be more susceptible to excitotoxicity because: a) synaptosomal reuptake of glutamate is less efficient and b) oxidative stress induced by various agents including glutamate may be higher in synaptosomes from the older animal.

Graded dietary levels of RRR-gamma-tocopherol induce a marked increase in the concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in nervous tissues, heart, liver and muscle of vitamin-E-deficient rats

The effect of dietary RRR-gamma-tocopherol supplementation on serum and tissue alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations was studied in vitamin-E-deficient rats fed diets containing adequate levels of RRR-alpha-tocopherol and graded levels of RRR-gamma-tocopherol over a 60 day period. Feeding rats with a RRR-alpha-tocopherol-supplemented diet induced in forebrain, sciatic endoneurium, skeletal muscle, heart and liver a marked increase in alpha-tocopherol concentration. In contrast, feeding rats with a diet containing the same level of RRR-gamma-tocopherol induced a small increase in gamma-tocopherol concentrations in brain, sciatic endoneurium, skeletal, muscle, heart and liver and a slight but significant decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration in all tissues examined. In rats fed diets containing a constant level of RRR-alpha-tocopherol and graded levels of RRR-gamma-tocopherol, the concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in all tissues were much higher than those in rats fed a control diet containing RRR-alpha-tocopherol alone. The higher the gamma/alpha ratio, the more the alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased. Significant positive linear regressions were found between the gamma/alpha ratio and the alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations in most of the tissues examined. These results indicate that when gamma-tocopherol was supplied continuously in the diet gamma-tocopherol accumulated significantly in the tissues but to a much smaller extent than when rats were fed with RRR-alpha-tocopherol. These experiments also indicate that gamma-tocopherol did not depress the serum and tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations. On the contrary, gamma-tocopherol supplements induced a marked increase in alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the serum and tissues. These results suggest that there is a relationship between alpha- and gamma-tocopherol levels in vivo and that the biopotency of alpha-tocopherol should be reevaluated especially when high levels of gamma-tocopherol were present in the diet.

The lipid compositions of different regions of rat brain during development and aging

The lipid contents in different regions of the rat brain were analyzed from birth to the age of 2 years. The total brain phospholipid content increased threefold during the first 20 postnatal days. The cholesterol content elevated extensively during the first 2 months of life and, after this period, remained unchanged. The level of dolichol increased almost 100-fold during the first 10 months of life and continued to increase thereafter. Some modifications in the dolichol isoprenoid pattern were also observed. An increase in the brain ubiquinone level occurred during the first few months of life, but no further change was observed after this period. Ubiquinone-9 and -10 constituted 70 and 30%, respectively, of the total ubiquinone in all regions and all subcellular fractions. The alpha-tocopherol content increased during the first 3 weeks of life and was unchanged thereafter. These results demonstrate characteristic changes in the lipid contents of various regions of rat brain during development and aging.

Ataxia with isolated vitamin E deficiency in four siblings

We describe 4 siblings of a consanguineous Bedouin family with Friedreich ataxia phenotype in whom low serum vitamin E levels without other indicators of fat malabsorption were detected. Although age of onset and some of the clinical features were alike in all 4 patients, the electrophysiological parameters were markedly abnormal in 2, but normal in the other 2. Erythrocytes revealed both membranous and intracellular evidence of oxidative damage. The mutations described in other families with ataxia with isolated vitamin E deficiency were not detectable, nor was an abnormal single-stranded conformation polymorphism pattern apparent in the three exons at the 3' region of the gene. Vitamin E administration in pharmacological doses improved the neurological condition in 2 patients and also corrected some of the patients' erythrocyte cell abnormalities. The finding of vitamin E deficiency in other cases of Friedreich ataxia phenotype may allow treatment at an early stage of the disease, when large dose Vitamin E therapy may reverse the neurological lesions.

Benefit of vitamin E, riluzole, and gabapentin in a transgenic model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) has been linked in some families to dominant mutations of the SOD1 gene encoding Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,ZnSOD). We have used a transgenic model of FALS based on expression of mutant human Cu,ZnSOD to explore the etiology and therapy of the genetic disease. Expression of mutant, but not wild-type, human Cu,ZnSOD in mice places the brain and spinal cord under oxidative stress. This causes depletion of vitamin E, rather than the typical age-dependent increase in vitamin E content as occurs in nontransgenic mice and in mice expressing wild-type human Cu,ZnSOD. Dietary supplementation with vitamin E delays onset of clinical disease and slows progression in the transgenic model but does not prolong survival. In contrast, two putative inhibitors of the glutamatergic system, riluzole and gabapentin, prolong survival. However, riluzole did not delay disease onset. Thus, there was clear separation of effects on onset, progression, and survival by the three therapeutics tested. This suggests the hypothesis that oxidative damage produced by the expression of mutant Cu,ZnSOD causes slow or weak excitotoxicity that can be inhibited in part by alerting glutamate release or biosynthesis presynaptically.

Age- and peroxidative stress-related modifications of the cerebral enzymatic activities linked to mitochondria and the glutathione system

The aging brain undergoes a process of enhanced peroxidative stress, as shown by reports of altered membrane lipids, oxidized proteins, and damaged DNA. The aims of this review are to examine: (1) the possible contribution of mitochondrial processes to the formation and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aging brain; and (2) the age-related changes of antioxidant defenses, both enzymatic and nonenzymatic. It will focus on studies investigating the role of the electron transfer chain as the site of ROS formation in brain aging and the alterations of the glutathione system, also in relation to the effects of exogenous pro-oxidant agents. The possible role of peroxidative stress in age-related neurodegenerative diseases will also be discussed.

Uptake of dietary RRR-alpha- and RRR-gamma-tocopherol by nervous tissues, liver and muscle in vitamin-E-deficient rats

The time course of RRR-alpha-tocopherol and RRR-gamma-tocopherol uptake by liver, muscle and selected nervous tissues was studied in vitamin-E-deficient rats fed diets containing either RRR-alpha-tocopherol or RRR-gamma-tocopherol over a 60 day period. Feeding rats with a RRR-alpha-tocopherol-supplemented diet induced in brain, cerebellum, sciatic endoneurium and muscle a marked and regular increase in alpha-tocopherol concentration. In addition, the tocopherol concentration in liver reached a plateau very rapidly. In contrast, feeding rats with a diet containing the same level of RRR-gamma-tocopherol induced a very small increase in gamma-tocopherol concentration in brain, cerebellum, sciatic endoneurium and muscle, no change in alpha-tocopherol concentration of brain and muscle and a slight but significant decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration in sciatic endoneurium and cerebellum. These results indicate that when gamma-tocopherol was supplied continuously in the diet gamma-tocopherol accumulated significantly in the tissues but to a much lesser extent than when rats were fed with RRR-alpha-tocopherol. These results also show that in the tocopherol-deficient rat, gamma-tocopherol does not significantly affect the residual alpha-tocopherol concentrations in brain or cerebellum, except poorly in sciatic endoneurium.

Protective effect of alpha-tocopherol on brain cell membrane function during cerebral cortical hypoxia in newborn piglets

Protective effect of alpha-tocopherol on the structure and function of brain cell membranes was investigated by measuring Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and products of lipid peroxidation (fluorescent compounds) in brain cell membranes obtained from newborn piglets. Four groups of anesthetized, ventilated piglets were studied: five hypoxic piglets and five normoxic piglets were pretreated with free alpha-tocopherol (20 mg/kg/dose i.m.), five additional hypoxic piglets received i.m. placebo and five normoxic piglets served as control. Placebo and alpha-tocopherol were given 48 and 3 h prior to onset of hypoxia. Hypoxic hypoxia was induced and cerebral hypoxia was documented as a decrease in the ratio of phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate (PCr/P(i)) using 31P NMR spectroscopy. PCr/P(i) decreased from baseline of 2.62 +/- 0.54 to 1.05 +/- 0.27 in alpha-tocopherol-pretreated and from 2.44 +/- 0.48 to 1.14 +/- 0.30 in the placebo-pretreated group during hypoxia. Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was unchanged in both normoxic and hypoxic alpha-tocopherol-pretreated groups. However, in placebo-pretreated hypoxic group, Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity decreased as compared with control (44.9 +/- 9.7 vs. 61.8 +/- 5.7 mumol P(i)/mg protein/h, P < 0.005). The level of fluorescent compounds increased in placebo-pretreated but not in alpha-tocopherol-pretreated group as compared with control. During hypoxia, serum alpha-tocopherol levels were higher in alpha-tocopherol-pretreated groups as compared with placebo-pretreated hypoxic group. The present data indicates that alpha-tocopherol protects brain cell membranes in newborn piglets from lipid peroxidative damage during tissue hypoxia probably by being incorporated in cell membrane and also as circulating antioxidant.

Effect of age on antioxidants and molecular markers of oxidative damage in murine epidermis and dermis

This is the first study of antioxidants and oxidative-damage-related parameters in epidermis and dermis of the skin as a function of age. The four major antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase), hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, and lipid hydroperoxides were assayed in both epidermis and dermis of young and old hairless mice. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase had similar activity levels in young and old animals. Only glutathione peroxidase from epidermis showed an activity decrease due to age. This decrease became apparent when enzyme activity was expressed per mg of total cellular protein. Hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants did not change as a function of age, nor did lipid hydroperoxide levels. Both the absolute level of oxidized glutathione and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione were higher in dermis from old mice. These results suggest that skin aging is not accelerated in old age due to a general decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the tissue. The data are compatible, however, with the idea that continuous damage to skin tissue by free radicals occurs throughout an organism's lifetime because scavenging cannot be 100% efficient.

Effect of dietary vitamin E on lipofuscin accumulation with age in the rat brain

We investigated the effect of dietary vitamin E on lipofuscin accumulation with age in the hippocampus, the inferior olive and the cerebellum of young (3-5 months old) middle-aged (12-14 months old) and old (24-26 months old) male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were fed either a vitamin E-deficient diet, vitamin E-supplemented diet or a control diet after reaching four weeks old. We employed both quantitative light microscopy using semithin sections and qualitative fluorescence microscopy for the analysis of lipofuscin accumulation with age. The concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were measured simultaneously in both the plasma and the three brain regions investigated. The effect of vitamin E deficiency was statistically significant only in the inferior olive of young rats and in all the three brain regions of middle-aged rats. The effect of vitamin E supplementation was statistically significant in all three brain regions of middle-aged rats. There was no statistically significant effect of vitamin E deficiency or supplementation on lipofuscin accumulation with age as compared with the control rats in all three brain regions of old rats. It was thus revealed that dietary vitamin E clearly had a significant effect on lipofuscin accumulation with age in the rat brain up until middle age, and that the same effect became indistinct in the latter half of their life.

Oxidative stress: free radical production in neural degeneration

It is not yet established whether oxidative stress is a major cause of cell death or simply a consequence of an unknown pathogenetic factor. Concerning chronic diseases, as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease are assumed to be, it is possible that a gradual impairment of cellular defense mechanisms leads to cell damage because of toxic substances being increasingly formed during normal cellular metabolism. This point of view brings into consideration the possibility that, besides exogenous factors, the pathogenetic process of neurodegeration is triggered by endogenous mechanisms, either by an endogenous toxin or by inherited metabolic disorders, which become progressively more evident with aging. In the following review, we focus on the oxidative stress theory of neurodegeneration, on excitotoxin-induced cell damage and on impairment of mitochondrial function as three major noxae being the most likely causes of cell death either independently or in connection with each other. First, having discussed clinical, pathophysiological, pathological and biochemical features of movement and cognitive disorders, we discuss the common features of these biochemical theories of neurodegeneration separately. Second, we attempt to evaluate possible biochemical links between them and third, we discuss experimental findings that confirm or rule out the involvement of any of these theories in neurodegeneration. Finally, we report some therapeutic strategies evolved from each of these theories.

Age-related regional changes in hydroxyl radical stress and antioxidants in gerbil brain

The levels of hydroxyl radicals and oxidized GSH have been examined as indices of oxidative stress in young (3 months), middle-aged (15 months), and old (20-24 months) gerbil brain hippocampus, cortex, and striatum. The hydroxyl radical stress was estimated by measuring the salicylate hydroxyl radical trapping products 2,5- and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The stress was significantly higher in all three brain regions in middle-aged and old gerbils versus young animals (< or = 66.0%). Regional comparisons showed that the stress was significantly higher in cortex than in either the hippocampus or striatum of the middle-aged and old gerbils (< or = 32.0%). The ratio of oxidized to total GSH also increased progressively in middle-aged and old animals in all three brain regions (p < 0.05, < or = 41.1%), further indicating a general age-related increase in oxidative stress. Parallel to this age-related increase in oxidative stress, a significant, albeit slight (8%), decrease in neuronal number in hippocampal CA1 region was observed in both the middle-aged and old animals. Possible differences in antioxidant levels were also examined. Total GSH levels were similar across age groups (variance < 12%). However, the regional comparison showed that it was highest in striatum in all age groups. The levels of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) were significantly higher in the middle-aged and old animals in all three regions (< or = 70.4%). Vitamin E was highest in the hippocampus and the differences between the hippocampus and the cortex and striatum increased with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Simultaneous induction of sod, glutathione reductase, GSH, and ascorbate in liver and kidney correlates with survival during aging

Catalase was continuously inhibited with aminotriazole in the liver and kidney during 33 months in large populations of old and young frogs in order to study the effects of the modification of the tissue antioxidant/prooxidant balance on the life span of a vertebrate species showing an oxygen consumption rate similar to that of humans. Free-radical-related parameters were measured during three consecutive years at 2.5, 14.5, and 26.5 months of experimentation. Aging per se did not decrease antioxidant enzymes and did not increase peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid positive substances, or high-pressure liquid chromatography [HPLC]-malondialdehyde), either cross sectionally or longitudinally. Long-term catalase inhibition leads to time-dependent increases (100-900%) of endogenous superoxide dismutase, GSH, ascorbate, and especially glutathione reductase at 2.5 and 14.5 months of experimentation. This was positively correlated with a higher survival of treated animals (91% in treated versus 46% in controls at 14.5 months of experimentation). The loss of those inductions after 26.5 months leads to a sharp increase in mortality rate. The results show for the first time that simultaneous induction of various tissue antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidants can increase the mean life span of a vertebrate animal. It is concluded that the tissue antioxidant/prooxidant balance is a strong determinant of mean life span.

Alteration of delta-6 desaturase by vitamin E in rat brain and liver

delta-6 Desaturase, measured at substrate saturation using linoleic acid, was found to be increased by more than two-fold when the content of vitamin E in brain microsomal membrane suspension was increased (up to 7.5 micrograms/mg membrane protein, i.e. 100 micrograms/g tissue from which microsomes were prepared). In contrast, this activity was reduced by 25% in the liver. This raises the question of the multiple role of vitamin E in membranes, the control of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids through synthesis, and their protection against peroxidation.

Age-related alterations in antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in brain, liver, and lung homogenates of normal and vitamin E-deficient rats

Age-related alterations in both antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in the cerebrum, lung and liver homogenates of normal and vitamin E-deficient rats were investigated. The antioxidant capacity, which includes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) concentration, was relatively stable throughout the lifespan. It was observed, however, that catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in livers of old rats decreased and that vitamin E concentration in lung and liver increased with age. In vitamin E-deficient animals, catalase activity in liver increased and glutathione peroxidase activity in liver and lung decreased. Lipid peroxidation was monitored by use of three different indices, i.e. the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, oxygen absorption and conjugated-diene formation. In the absence of any initiator, neither oxygen absorption into tissue homogenates nor conjugated-diene formation in lipid extracts from the homogenates occurred. The TBA value of each cerebrum homogenate incubated under air or an oxygen atmosphere was larger than that of the corresponding unincubated cerebrum homogenate. From comparison between the TBA value and oxygen absorption, this increase in the TBA value was suggested to be due to some reactions other than lipid peroxidation. Although tissue homogenates examined contained TBA-reacting materials, no lipid peroxidation seems to arise during incubation of them. No age-related alterations in the TBA value and oxygen absorption in rat tissue homogenates were observed. Vitamin E deficiency had no effect on the TBA values of cerebrum and lung homogenates, while it seemed to increase the TBA values of liver homogenates. Vitamin E deficiency had no effect on oxygen absorption in these tissue homogenates. The induction period of initiator-induced conjugated-diene formation in lipid extracts from liver and lung homogenates from normal and vitamin E-deficient rats tended to be extended with age. Vitamin E deficiency decreased the induction period of initiator-induced conjugated-diene formation. As a result, the length of the induction period was found to be proportional to vitamin E concentration in lipid extracts. The overall antioxidant capacity of rat tissues appears to be maintained without large variation during ageing. Decreases in the capacity of some antioxidant factors may be compensated by increases in the capacity of other factors.

Relationship between antioxidants, lipid peroxidation and aging

Experiments performed on species as different as flies, rats and frogs are not conclusive about the possibility that antioxidant defenses decrease in old animals. Even when these decreases are found, their physiological meaning is far from clear. Furthermore, a constancy of antioxidant capacity in old age is consistent with the fact that aging is a progressive phenomenon which occurs at a rather constant rate from the mature young to the very old animal, without showing a great acceleration rate in the aged. Nevertheless, experimental results strongly suggest that the maintenance of an appropriate antioxidant/prooxidant balance does have an important role in maintaining health in the aging animal. It is possible that the continuous presence of small amounts of free radicals in the adult tissues of both mature adults and old animals is an important factor in aging (a progressive phenomenon) and susceptibility to disease. Since, similarly to what occurs in procariota, the whole antioxidant system seems to be under homeostatic control in vertebrates, it is imperative to perform comprehensive and detailed studies on the effects of carefully controlled doses of antioxidants on biomarkers of health as well as on the different endogenous cellular antioxidant and prooxidant systems. These studies should have as a final goal the knowledge of which doses of antioxidants are high enough to increase antioxidant protection but low enough to avoid feedback depression of other endogenous antioxidants; this could further improve the health state of humans situated in the middle and last phases of their life span.

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Brain levels of glutathione, glutathione disulfide, and vitamin E

Human brain levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and vitamin E were measured in neurologically normal control patients and two groups of patients with neurodegeneration: those with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and AD with some features of Parkinson's disease (AD-PD). Control brain samples contained GSH levels more than 50 times higher than GSSG. The levels of GSH were highest in the caudate nucleus and lowest in the medulla. In patients with AD or AD-PD, hippocampal levels of GSH were significantly higher than controls. Patients with AD also demonstrated high GSH levels in the midbrain compared to normal. In contrast, patients with AD-PD did not have significantly elevated GSH levels in this site. GSSG levels were not significantly different in any brain region between controls and diseased patients. In control brains, the medulla had higher levels of vitamin E than any other brain region. The caudate nucleus had the lowest levels, which were about half the levels in the medulla. Control levels of vitamin E in the midbrain were about 18.8 micrograms/g. In AD patients the midbrain levels of vitamin E doubled to 42.3 micrograms/g. This doubling also occurred in AD-PD patients where midbrain vitamin E levels increased to 44.0 micrograms/g. These results may indicate that compensatory increases in GSH and vitamin E levels occur following damage to specific brain regions in patients with AD or AD-PD.

Alteration of alpha-tocopherol content in the developing and aging peripheral nervous system: persistence of high correlations with total and specific (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids

In contrast to brain, the sciatic nerve concentration of vitamin E in rats increased rapidly during the postnatal period (approximately fivefold between days 1 and 8), then decreased dramatically (about twofold between days 8 and 30), and further decreased slowly between days 30 and 60 and remained constant up to 2 years. Although the sciatic nerve concentration of vitamin E decreased by 58% between days 8 and 30, the concentration of vitamin E in serum presented a marked decrease (approximately 75%). The vitamin E concentrations varied in a similar pattern in whole sciatic nerve and in endoneurium and showed a very close correlation (r = 0.94). The age-related changes in fatty acid concentration of the endoneurial fraction of the sciatic nerve were characterized by a large increase in content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids up to 6 months (twofold for saturated and fourfold for monounsaturated fatty acids). Then, up to 24 months, the amount of these fatty acids decreased very slowly. The content of (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decreased rapidly up to 1 year and slowly afterward. In contrast, during development the amount of (n-3) PUFA was relatively stable and decreased during aging. A highly significant correlation between vitamin E and (n-6) PUFA [18:2(n-6), 20:4(n-6), and total (n-6)] was observed but not between (n-3) PUFA and vitamin E. It is suggested that there may be a relationship between vitamin E and (n-6) PUFA in the PNS membranes during development and aging.

Decreases in tissue levels of ubiquinol-9 and -10, ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol following spinal cord impact trauma in rats

Generation of free radicals and subsequent lipid peroxidation have been proposed to contribute to delayed tissue damage following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Ubiquinols (reduced coenzyme Q), ascorbate (vitamin C), and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) are endogenous antioxidants; decreases in tissue levels of these compounds may, therefore, reflect ongoing oxidative reactions. In the present studies, alterations in tissue levels of ubiquinol-9 and -10, ascorbate, and alpha-tocopherol were examined after SCI of varying severity in the rat. Levels of alpha-tocopherol did not change significantly after injury. Ascorbate and ubiquinol levels were decreased after trauma. Changes in tissue levels of ubiquinol, but not ascorbate reflected the degree of trauma. Thus, ubiquinol levels may provide a useful marker of the oxidative component of the secondary injury response.

Vitamin E and neurologic function in man

Despite the well-known detrimental effect of vitamin E deficiency on the nervous system of many experimental animal models for decades, only over the past decade has vitamin E become recognized as essential for the maintenance of the structure and function of the human nervous system. This discovery of the neurologic role of vitamin E in man is due primarily to the identification of a degenerative neurologic syndrome in children and adults with chronic vitamin E deficiency caused by gastrointestinal diseases impairing fat and vitamin E absorption. A compelling body of clinical, neuropathologic, and therapeutic response evidence conclusively demonstrates that vitamin E deficiency is responsible for the neurologic disorder seen in such patients. In addition, an inborn error in vitamin E metabolism, the Isolated Vitamin E Deficiency Syndrome, causes vitamin E deficiency and similar neurologic degeneration in the absence of fat malabsorption. Guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of vitamin E deficiency in relevant clinical circumstances are provided. The possible role of vitamin E in treating other neurologic diseases is discussed.

Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium on susceptibility of brain regions to lipid peroxidation

The effect of dietary vitamin E and/or selenium (Se) supplementation (200 IU and/or 0.2 ppm, respectively) or deficiency for two months on lipid peroxidation in cerebrum, cerebellum, mid-brain, and brain stem of one-month-old male F344 rats was investigated. Dietary treatment had a minimal effect on weight gain of rats for the period tested. Plasma alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were reflective of dietary treatments. Supplementation of diets with vitamin E and/or Se increased plasma alpha-T and/or GSH-Px activity, while diets devoid of these nutrients reduced them significantly. Increased GSH-Px activity in Se-supplemented rats was further enhanced by vitamin E supplementation. Differential concentrations of alpha-T among brain regions were affected by dietary vitamin E but not by Se. In vitro lipid peroxidation of brain homogenates was inhibited by dietary vitamin E supplementation and increased by deficiency. Addition of 0.25 mM ascorbic acid or 0.1 mM of Fe2+ to brain homogenates markedly increased in vitro lipid peroxidation. Ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation was inversely correlated with dietary vitamin E and Se in cerebrum. In vitro Fe2+-addition induced the greatest stimulation of lipid peroxidation, with cerebellum and brain stem of vitamin E-deficient rats showing the highest response to Fe2+ challenge. These findings indicate that concentrations of alpha-T among the brain regions are different and can be altered by dietary vitamin E treatments, cerebellum and brain stem are more susceptible to in vitro challenge by peroxidative agents than other regions, and the degree of lipid peroxidation of brain regions is partially affected by dietary vitamin E but not by Se in the levels tested.

Determination of alpha-tocopherolquinone (vitamin E quinone) in human serum, platelets, and red cell membrane samples

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of alpha-tocopherolquinone in a few selected biological samples is reported. Samples of human serum, blood platelets, or red cell membranes were saponified and extracted with hexane. A measured aliquot of the extract was evaporated under a stream of nitrogen, and the residue was reconstituted with mobile phase (methanol:water, 98:2) and used directly for liquid chromatography. alpha-Tocopherolquinone was separated on Zorbax C-18 columns (25 cm X 4.6 mm, 5-microns particles) and detected by its absorption at 265 nm. The addition of high levels of base during saponification as well as exposure to fluorescent light results in loss of the quinone. Concentrations of alpha-tocopherolquinone in normal human serum are exceedingly small constituting only 0.02-0.05% of the alpha-tocopherol concentration. The technique is particularly useful in the quantitation of the oxidation of alpha-tocopherol in biological samples under in vitro conditions. For example, incubation of human platelets with diamide or arachidonate resulted in oxidation of alpha-tocopherol and the alpha-tocopherolquinone produced accounted for 11.8 and 30.6%, respectively of the alpha-tocopherol lost.

Alteration of the alpha-tocopherol content in the brain and peripheral nervous tissue of dysmyelinating mutants

In the brain of quaking and shiverer mutants, vitamin E content was normal when related to both wet weight and dry weight. When related to lipid extract, phosphorus, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E was slightly increased only in the quaking mutant. In the sciatic nerve from trembler mutants, vitamin E was 134% of control values in the dry material, but normal in relation to wet weight. It was 260% in the lipid extract and 716% based on phosphorus. In relation to total fatty acids, there was a threefold increase in trembler mutants. Interestingly, it was increased approximately three times when related to 18:2 n-6, 20:4 n-6, and 20:5 n-3, and seven times when related to 22:6 n-3. The fact that the amount of vitamin E in fresh weight was normal, suggests that vitamin E plays a role in some nonmembrane material, such as the extracellular matrix or the basal lamina.

Influence of dietary vitamin E, selenium and age on regional distribution of alpha-tocopherol in the rat brain

Concentrations of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) in plasma, cerebrum, cerebellum, midbrain and brain stem and activity of selenium (Se)-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in plasma were measured in 1- and 15-month-old male F344 rats fed diets containing vitamin E (E, IU/kg) and Se (ppm) in the following combinations: 30 E, 0.1 Se (control diet, minimum requirements); 200 E, 0.2 Se; 0.0 E, 0.2 Se; 200 E, 0.0 Se; 0.0 E, 0.0 Se for 8 or 20 weeks. alpha-T and GSH-Px levels in plasma were reflective of dietary treatment in young rats in which an interaction of the two nutrients was noted. A longer period of dietary vitamin E deficiency was necessary to deplete plasma alpha-T and depress GSH-Px activity significantly in the old rats. Among the brain regions of all ages, cerebrum and midbrain had the highest concentrations of alpha-T while cerebellum showed the lowest. However, cerebellum of young rats and cerebellum and brain stem of old rats had a greater alpha-T accumulation with doubly supplemented diets, whereas only cerebellum of young and old rats showed a marked increase of alpha-T with vitamin E supplementation. In old rats, vitamin E deficiency resulted in greater depletion of alpha-T in cerebellum and brain stem than cerebrum and midbrain regions. Se deficiency in brain stem of young and old rats significantly decreased alpha-T accumulation by vitamin E supplementation. Se supplementation marginally alleviates vitamin E depletion in brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vitamin E concentrations in different regions of the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of the rat

Since the spinal cord and peripheral nerves are vulnerable to the effects of vitamin E deficiency, vitamin E concentrations in various discrete regions of these parts of the nervous system of the rat were determined. Furthermore, as acrylamide toxicity and vitamin E deficiency share some neuropathological features, tissue vitamin E concentrations in acrylamide-treated rats were also studied. Male Sprague Dawley rats (200 to 250 g body weight) were fed normal rat chow with or without 0.03% acrylamide in their drinking water. After 24 days, the animals were sacrificed and the tissues assayed for vitamin E by a liquid chromatographic method. Vitamin E concentrations decreased from cerebral cortex to spinal cord with no concentration gradients between different levels of the spinal cord. Sciatic nerve concentration of alpha tocopherol was as high as that of cerebral cortex, and the former also contained measurable amounts of gamma tocopherol. Vitamin E concentrations in the majority of nervous tissues samples remained unchanged with acrylamide treatment.