Nrf2 activity is lost in the spinal cord and its astrocytes of aged mice

• DOI: 10.1007/s11626-009-9194-5
• Publication Date: 2009-05-18T18:05:37Z
• Authors: Weisong Duan; Ruiyan Zhang; Yansu Guo; Yifang Jiang; Yanli Huang; Hong Jiang; Chunyan Li
• Keywords: Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Aging; 0303 health sciences; Time Factors; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; NADPH Dehydrogenase; Catechin; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Neuroprotective Agents; Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2; Spinal Cord; Astrocytes; Ferritins; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Models, Animal; Receptors, Transferrin; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); Animals; Cells, Cultured; Heme Oxygenase-1

We report herein a study of aging using in vitro and in vivo models. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and ferritin expression levels increased, and the levels of glutamate transporter 1 and transferrin receptor 1 decreased in aging mouse spinal cord and its astrocytes. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential in astrocytes decreased after 60 d of culture. Given the relationship between aging and loss of antioxidant tolerance capacity, we examined the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) and NAD(P)H/quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the old mouse astrocytes and spinal cord. Indeed, both antioxidant enzymes decreased there. Total nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, which governs basal and inducible expression of HO1 and NQO1, decreased significantly. Significantly, epigallocatechin gallate restored the Nrf2 activity.