Effect of age and -SH active groups on the activity of some enzymes involved in the carbohydrate metabolism

Abstract

Oeriu reported a decrease in old age of free -SH groups in cells, resulting mainly from the GSH oxidation. Treatment with -SH group releasing substances has a favourable effect, leading to a shift of -SH/-SS- ratio towards the values characteristics of younger organisms. GSH protects the thiolic groups of -SH enzymes, preserving them in a reduced state. Considering all these data, we investigated the effect of age and treatment with substances releasing active -SH groups on the activity of several enzymes involved in glycolysis and glucogenesis: hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, aldolase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase. The determinations were carried out on hepatic tissue of young, old and old treated rats The assayed enzymic activities were decreased in the old liver as compared to the young. The treatment led to a rise of this parameter towards the values found in the younger organism. This suggests a role for -SH groups in inhibiting early ageing.