Modulation of ion channels by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: a pathophysiological role in brain aging?

An ever increasing number of reports shows the involvement of free radicals in the functional and structural changes occurring in the brain as a part of the “normal” aging process. Given that plasma membrane and intracellular ion channels play a critical role in maintaining intracellular ion homeostasis, which is crucial for neuronal cell survival, in the present review we have attempted to elaborate on the idea that functional changes in ion channel activity induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) might occur during the aging process. To this aim, we have reviewed the available literature and the data obtained in our laboratory on the ability of ROS and RNS to modify the activity of several plasma membrane and intracellular ion channels and transporters, in an attempt to correlate such changes with those occurring with the aging process. Particular emphasis is given to voltage-gated Na +, Ca 2+, and K + channels, although second messenger-activated channels like Ca 2+- and ATP-dependent K + channels, and intracellular channels controlling intracellular Ca 2+ storage and release will also be discussed. On the basis of the available data it is not yet possible to establish a strict correlation between the changes in neuronal electrophysiological properties induced by oxidative modification at the level of ion channels and the neurodegenerative process accompanying brain aging. However, an increasing amount of information suggests that the modulatory effects exerted by ROS and RNS on ion channel proteins might have a relevant role for neuronal cell survival or death. Obviously, more work is needed to establish the possible involvement of ion channels and of their modulation by ROS and RNS as important mechanisms for the aging process. Only when a more complete molecular picture of the aging process will be available, it will be possible to test the fascinating hypothesis that aging might be pharmacologically delayed by modulating ROS and RNS action on ion channels or the biochemical pathways involved in their modulation.