Analysis of fine structure and biochemical changes of retina during aging of Wistar albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a biological phenomenon that involves an increase of oxidative stress associated with gradual degradation of the structure and function of the retina. Gender differences and subsequent deterioration of retinal cell layers is an interesting topic, especially because there is no published work concerning it. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male and female Wistar albino rats ages 1, 6, 18, 30 and 42 months (n = 20 equal for male and female) were used. At the time interval, retinae were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy, assessments of neurotransmitters, anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismustase and glutathione S transferase), caspase-3 and -7, malonadialdhyde, and DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: Light and transmission electron microscopy observations of the older specimens (30 and 42 months) revealed apparent deterioration of retinal cell layers, especially ganglion and nerve fibres, nuclear, pigmented epithelium and stacked membranes of the photoreceptor's outer segments. Males were highly susceptible to aging processes. Retinal DNA fragmentation was remarked parallel with increase of apoptic markers caspase 3 and 7. Concomitantly, there was a marked reduction of neurotransmitters and anti-oxidant enzymes, and an increase of lipid peroxidation. CONCLUSIONS: Aging contributed to an increase of oxidative stress resulting from damage of mitochondria in retinal cells, a decrease of the anti-oxidant enzyme system and an increase of markers of retinal cell death.

Aging-related changes of optic nerve of Wistar albino rats.

Aging is a biological phenomenon that involves an increase of oxidative stress associated with gradual degradation of the structure and function of the optic nerve. Gender differences and subsequent deterioration of optic nerve are an interesting topic, especially because there is little published work concerning it. One hundred male and female Wistar albino rats' with ages 1, 6, 18, 24, and 30 months (n = 20 equal for male and female) were used. At the time interval, optic nerve was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), assessments of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismustase, and glutathione-S-transferase), caspase 3 and 7, malondialdhyde, flow cytometry of DNA, annexin v, and CD8, immunochemistry of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, and CD45, and single-strand DNA fragmentation. Light and TEM observations of the older specimens (24 and 30 months) revealed apparent deterioration of optic nerve axons, abundant oligodendrocytes with pyknotic nuclei, swollen astrocytes, angiogenesis, vacuolar degeneration, and mitochondrial damage. Females were highly susceptible to aging processes. Concomitantly, there was a marked reduction of antioxidant's enzymes and an increase of lipid peroxidation and apoptotic markers. Old age exhibited a marked increase of G1 apoptosis, UR and LR of annexin V and CD8 as well as increased immuno-positive reaction with VEGR, CD31 and CD45. We conclude that aging contributed to an increase of oxidative stress resulting from damage of mitochondria in axons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Age-related loss of optic nerve axons is associated with multifactorial agents including reduction in antioxidant enzymes, disruption of vasculature, astrocyte, and oligodendrocyte, demyelination, and damage of mitochondria, which enhance the liberation of reactive oxygen species as assessed by an increase of apoptotic markers malondialdhyde and caspase 3 and 7.

Effects of fried potato chip supplementation on mouse pregnancy and fetal development.

OBJECTIVE: Acrylamide (ACR), a proven rodent carcinogen, is present at significantly high quantities in commonly consumed foods such as potato chips, raising a health concern worldwide. METHODS: The effects of ACR and fried potato chips (FPC) on pregnant mice and their offspring before and after birth were investigated and compared. RESULTS: In the pregnant mice, similar histologic abnormalities were found in various tissues for ACR intoxication and FPC supplementation. Drastic alterations were mainly seen in the liver, kidney, heart muscle, and epiphyseal cartilage of experimental dams. ACR and FPC increased the rate of abortion and neonatal mortality and decreased the total number, body weight, size, and crown-rump length of the offspring before and after birth. Interestingly, however, higher rates of congenital malformations were observed in the FPC-treated group. Although ossification of axial and appendicular bones was markedly retarded during fetal development, some ossified bones were missing in newly born offspring of treated groups. Furthermore, the incidence of missing ossification centers was higher in the FPC-treated than in the ACR-treated neonates. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FPC can cause hazardous health effects and warrant a systematic study on the health effects of consumption of FPC and French fries in the general population.