Characterization of the Age Changes in Brain and Liver Enzymes of Senescence-Accelerated Mice (SAM)

The comparative neurochemical characteristics of brain and liver membranes of senescence-accelerated mice, prone (SAMP1) and senescence-accelerated mice, resistant (SAMR1) strains were evaluated using males and females of several ages. Abnormal N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) binding and monoamine oxidase b activity in SAMP brain membranes may promote increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons. Na/K-adinosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and liver cytochrome P450 activities are greater in SAMP1 neurons than in SAMR1 neurons, which may reflect an adaptive tissue response to ROS accumulation.