engleski

Met-enkephalin modulation of age-related changes in red cell antioxidant status

Opioid peptides have been recognized as modulators of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse macrophages and human neutrophils. Since the effect can not be ascribed to its direct scavenger properties in this study we tested the hypothesis that methionine-enkephalin (MENK) modulates ROS by alteration of antioxidant enzyme activity (AOE). For this purpose superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) are measured in red blood cells of 1, 4, 10 and 18 months old CBA mice of both sexes injected with 10mg/kg MENK. The results indicate that MENK affected AOE of red blood cells is age but not sex-related. The most abundant effects were observed at the reproductive stage. Increased sensitivity to oxidative stress by opioid peptides was in both sexes mainly due to increased SOD activity followed by Gpx decrease. Thus, the damage ascribed to opioid peptides might be, at least partly, ascribed to deleterious effects of accumulated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Met-enkephalin; antioxidant status; age; red cells

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