Age related changes in the activity of the glyoxalase system

Abstract

Male Swiss albino mice of progressive age (1–25 months old) were collected regularly from the Animal Facility of the university at monthly intervals and were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The specific activities of glyoxalase I (GI) and glyoxalase II (GII) were determined immediately in liver, spleen and kidney. Our results indicate that the activity of GI increased with an increase in the age of mice up to 12–14 months depending on the type of the tissue, thereafter it decreased progressively in the old animals. The increase in the activity of GI may be suggestive of the rapid rate of cell division in these organs needed for the growth and development of the animal; the progressive decline in the activity of GI in old age may be related to the decreased proliferative capacity of these organs. This decline may increase the oxidative damage and in turn enhance the process of ageing. The activity of GII decreased with increase in age up to 12–13 months. The mode and the magnitude of the activity of GII in old age depends on the type of tissue. The pattern of the GI/GII ratio in all the three tissues was similar up to 13–14 months of age.