Effect of Aging on the Activities of Acetylcholinesterase, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase in Rat Pituitary and Hypothalamus

Abstract

A TPase activities were esti mated in homogenised rat pituitary and hypothalamus of 4-and 22-month-old rats. A C hE activity was not altered in the pituitary of aged com pared to adult rats, while it was found decreased by about 40% in the hypothalamus. N a+,K +-A TPase activity remained stable in the hypothalamus, while it was decreased by about 38% in the pituitary. Mg2+-A TPase activ ity remained unchanged in the hypothalamus, but was increased by about 83% in the pitu itary. This pituitary N a+, K +-ATPase inactivation may result in pathological mood and de creased neural excitability and metabolic energy production in aged animals.The age-related alterations of A C h E , Na+, K +-ATPase and Mg2+-A TPase activities may reflect changes in secretion and responses of some hormones of pituitary and hypothalamus.