Antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes from old and diet restricted old rats
Pieri, C.; Falasca, M.; Moroni, F.; Recchioni, R.; Marcheselli, F.; Ioppolo, C.; Marmocchi, F.
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale 66(10): 909-914
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-8771 PMID: 2096875 Document Number: 362030
Diet restriction, prolonging the lifespan of rodents, represents an interesting model for gerontological studies. We analyzed the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes from young, old and old food restricted Wistar rats. Diet restriction was applied feeding the animals on every-other-day schedule starting from the age of 3.5 months. The age-dependent decrease of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities was prevented by food restriction, whereas superoxide dismutase activity was not influenced either by aging and dietary intervention. Present results support the hypothesis that diet restriction increases the protection of cell structure against the peroxidative damage, preserving the activity of antioxidant enzymes.