Galactose alters markers of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity in the cerebrum of rats: protective role of antioxidants

Abstract

We evaluated the in vitro effects of galactose at 0.1, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mM on thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS), total sulfhydryl content, protein carbonyl content, on the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus of rats. We also investigated the influence of the antioxidants (each at 1 mM), α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and glutathione, on the effects elicited by galactose on the parameters tested. Results showed that galactose, at a concentration of 3.0 mM, enhanced TBA-RS levels in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rats. In the cerebral cortex, galactose at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 mM increased TBA-RS and protein carbonyl content, and at 10.0 mM increased CAT activity and decreased AChE activity. In the cerebellum, galactose at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 mM increased TBA-RS, SOD and GSH-Px activities. In the hippocampus, galactose at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 mM increased TBA-RS and CAT activity and at 10.0 mM decreased GSH-Px. Data showed that at the pathologically high concentration (greater than 5.0 mM), galactose induces lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, alters antioxidant defenses in the cerebrum, and also alters cholinesterase activity. Trolox, ascorbic acid and glutathione addition prevented the majority of alterations in oxidative stress parameters and the decrease in AChE activity that were caused by galactose. Our findings lend support to a potential therapeutic strategy for this condition, which may include the use of appropriate antioxidants for ameliorating the damage caused by galactose.

Comparative Study between Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and / or Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Extracts on D-galactose Deleterious Brain Effects in Rats

“…The activity of AChE is shown to decrease with aging and is reflected in AChE brain content. Loss of enzyme activity may indicate functional decline in the neuron population [74].These results were similar to Delwing de-lima et al [75].…”

Mitochondrial Lon protease - depleted HeLa cells exhibit proteome modifications related to protein quality control, stress response and energy metabolism

“…Important levels of protein carbonylation in both control and Lon-depleted cells were obtained with galactose ( Fig 1C) which is consistent with galactose propensity to promote aging in some animal models [61] particularly through increased oxidative stress [62].…”

Constipation anti-aging effects by dairy-based lactic acid bacteria

“…Low dose injection of D-galactose has been demonstrated to accelerate the aging process in which imitating aging effect [ 60 ]. D-galactose exposure was used to induce an aging model by increasing oxidative stress accumulation in laboratory animals [ 61 ]. Monosaccharide reducing sugar, D-galactose is a physiological nutrient that reacts with free amines of amino acid in proteins via nonenzymatic glycation to form advanced glycation end-products.…”