Antioxidative defense mechanisms in the aging brain
Aging is an extremely complex, multifactorial process that is characterized by a gradual and continuous loss of physiological functions and responses, particularly marked in the brain. A common hallmark in aging and age-related diseases is an increase in oxidative stress and the failure of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Archives of Biological Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2014/0354-46641401245J.pdf |
| Summary: | Aging is an extremely complex, multifactorial process that is characterized
by a gradual and continuous loss of physiological functions and responses,
particularly marked in the brain. A common hallmark in aging and age-related
diseases is an increase in oxidative stress and the failure of antioxidant
defense systems. Current knowledge indicates that the level of glutathione
progressively declines during aging. Because nerve cells are the
longest-living cells that exhibit a high consumption rate of oxygen
throughout an individual’s lifetime, the brain may be especially vulnerable
to oxidative damage and this vulnerability increases during aging. In
addition, the brain contains high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty
acids and transition metals and low antioxidative defense mechanisms.
Although aging is an inevitable event, a growing volume of data confirms that
antioxidant supplementation in combination with symptomatic drug treatments
reduces oxidative stress and improves cognitive function in aging and
age-related diseases. The present review discusses the neuroprotective
effects of antioxidants in the aging brain. |
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| ISSN: | 0354-4664 1821-4339 |