Abstract
Biological aging is characterized by a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage and decreased endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. The production of oxidants by normal metabolism damages proteins, lipids, and nucleotides, which may contribute to cognitive impairment. In this study 36 dogs were randomly divided into four groups and fed croquettes of different compositions for 6 months. We monitored derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels in dogs' plasma samples as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels at the beginning and at the end of the dietary regime. Our results showed that a dietary regime, enriched with antioxidants, induced a significant decrease of plasma levels of dROMs (p < 0.005) and a significant increase in BDNF serum levels (p < 0.005) after six months. Thus, we hypothesized a possible role of the diet in modulating pro- and antioxidant species as well as BDNF levels in plasma and serum, respectively. In conclusion the proposed diet enriched with antioxidants might be considered a valid alternative and a valuable strategy to counteract aging-related cognitive decline in elderly dogs.
Highlights
Biological aging is characterized by a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage and decreased endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms [1]
Our results showed that a dietary regime, enriched with antioxidants, induced a significant decrease of plasma levels of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) (p < 0.005) and a significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels (p < 0.005) after six months
The production of oxidants by normal metabolism damages proteins, lipids, and nucleotides which may contribute to neurodegeneration and, subsequently, cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s diseases (PD) [2, 3]
Summary
Biological aging is characterized by a progressive accumulation of oxidative damage and decreased endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms [1]. The production of oxidants by normal metabolism damages proteins, lipids, and nucleotides which may contribute to neurodegeneration and, subsequently, cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s diseases (PD) [2, 3]. Microtubules, important dynamics polar formations of the cytoskeleton, are abundant in neurons, where they provide a scaffold for their dendrites. Because of oxidative stress conditions the peroxynitrite may react with tyrosine to form 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (3NT). This final product may be selectively incorporated into the α-tubulin, resulting in an irreversible blocking of the characteristic dynamics of microtubules causing morphological changes, neuronal death and consequent onset of neurodegenerative diseases. An omega-3 and omega-6 deficiency likely correlates with the development of behavioral disorder [6]
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