The ESR study of redox state of hepatocytes during aging in white rats

Aging is an inevitable biological process and characterized by a general decline in physiological function that leads to morbidity and mortality. Specific causes of this decline are not known. Rapid development in free radical biology and molecular technology has permitted the acquisition of data in support to the role of oxidative stress or injury as a major contributor to the aging process and to the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. Nevertheless, a direct link between oxidative stress and aging has not as yet been established. It is concluded that although there is considerable evidence implicating oxidative stress in the aging process, additional evidence is needed to clearly define the nature of the involvement. The present study has been designed to evaluate the age-related changes in rat liver by ESR method. The study was performed on 16 white male rats (4 newborns, 4 young, 4 adult and 4 senescent). Received data indicate that in white rats the aging is accompanied by slight increase in free radical production and significant decrease in antioxidant capacity of the liver cells. The present study suggests that accumulation of oxidized proteins during aging is most likely to be linked with an age-related decline of antioxidant enzyme activities.