Abstract:

The effects of head injury on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense system were investigated in aged and young rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 10. A mild head trauma was applied to 10 young rats (3 months of age) in group II and to 10 aged rats (24 months of age) in group IV. Young rats in group I and aged rats in group III served as controls. Plasma lipid peroxidation end-product was determined as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined spectrophotometrically. TBARS and GSH levels were found to be significantly lower and TBARS/GSH ratio significantly higher in aged rats when compared with young rats. The TBARS level and TBARS/ GSH were found to be significantly decreased in head injured young rats; whereas GSH and SOD levels in these rats were significantly increased compared to control young rats. Head injury induced no significant changes in TBARS, GSH, or SOD values in head-injured aged rats, but there was a significant decrease in GSH Px activity in these animals. Our results indicate that head injury, as a model of oxidative stress, is an oxidant challenge in young rats; but not in aged rats.

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