Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(9): 481-486
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34787
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antioxidant Enzymes, Free-Radical Damage, and Response to Paraquat in Liver and Kidney of Long-Living Growth Hormone Receptor/Binding Protein Gene-Disrupted Mice

S.  J.  Hauck 1 , J.  M.  Aaron 1 , C.  Wright 1 , J.  J.  Kopchick 2 , A.  Bartke 1
  • 1Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
  • 2Edison Biotechnology Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 6 December 2001

Accepted after revision: 18 March 2002

Publication Date:
17 October 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that the lifespan can be extended by caloric restriction or by altering the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling pathway. Both of these manipulations produce physiological alterations, such as increased insulin sensitivity, and reduced glucose levels and body size. However, it is difficult to evaluate whether these are merely correlates of delayed aging or whether they have a direct causal effect on lifespan. One parameter that has been demonstrated to have causal, positive effects on longevity in invertebrates is improved antioxidant defenses. We measured activities of antioxidant enzymes Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and quantified free-radical damage by lipid peroxidation (LP) and protein oxidation (PO) measurements in liver and kidney tissues, and evaluated the response to paraquat-induced oxygen toxicity in the long-living GH receptor/binding protein gene knockout (GHR-KO) mouse. We found that in the kidney, SOD was lower and GPx was higher in GHR-KO mice, and LP was higher in female GHR-KO mice only. In the liver, female GHR-KO mice had lower GPx, while male GHR-KO mice had lower CAT and higher LP. GHR-KO males were also more susceptible to paraquat toxicity compared to females or normal males. We conclude that in long-living GHR-KO mice, GH-resistance does not confer longevity by improved free-radical scavenging in the liver and kidney, suggesting that greater free-radical defenses in other tissues, or altered glucose metabolism may have a more central role in extending the lifespan of these animals.

References

S. Hauck

Department of Physiology · Southern Illinois University School of Medicine ·

Carbondale, IL 62901-6512 · USA ·

Phone: + 1 (618) 453-1538

Fax: + 1 (618) 453-1517 ·

Email: shauck@siumed.edu