The role of oxidative stress in nervous system aging.
Authors Sims-Robinson C, Hur J, Hayes JM, Dauch JR, Keller PJ, Brooks SV, Feldman EL
Submitted By Eva Feldman on 10/29/2013
Status Published
Journal PLoS ONE
Year 2013
Date Published 9/1/2013
Volume : Pages 8 : e68011
PubMed Reference 23844146
Abstract While oxidative stress is implicated in aging, the impact of oxidative stress on
aging in the peripheral nervous system is not well understood. To determine a
potential mechanism for age-related deficits in the peripheral nervous system,
we examined both functional and morphological changes and utilized microarray
technology to compare normal aging in wild-type mice to effects in copper/zinc
superoxide dismutase-deficient (Sod1(-/-)) mice, a mouse model of increased
oxidative stress. Sod1(-/-) mice exhibit a peripheral neuropathy phenotype with
normal sensory nerve function and deficits in motor nerve function. Our data
indicate that a decrease in the synthesis of cholesterol, which is vital to
myelin formation, correlates with the structural deficits in axons, myelin, and
the cell body of motor neurons in the Sod1(+/+) mice at 30 months and the
Sod1(-/-) mice at 20 months compared with mice at 2 months. Collectively, we
have demonstrated that the functional and morphological changes within the
peripheral nervous system in our model of increased oxidative stress are
manifested earlier and resemble the deficits observed during normal aging.


Investigators with authorship
NameInstitution
Eva FeldmanUniversity of Michigan

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