Resumo
Aims: To evaluate oxidative/nitrosative stress and apoptosis in the livers of senescent female rats treated with high fructose.
Main methods: Young (Y) and senescent (S) female rats received water or fructose (F) for 12 weeks and were allocated to 4 groups: YC, YF, SC or SF. At the end of the experiment, the plasma was collected for analysis of liver function, and liver tissue was analyzed for nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione (GSH), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), caspase-3 and qualitative histology.
Key findings: glycemia was reduced in SF vs. YF; food intake was reduced in YF, SC and SF vs. YC and augmented in SF vs. SC; water intake presented an increase in YF and SF vs. YC and SC; body mass increased in all groups vs. YC. Superoxide anion was elevated in SF vs. other groups; total GSH was decreased in SF vs. YF and SC. The eNOS had a significant reduction in SC vs. YC but increased in SF vs. SC. 3-NT increased in the senescent groups vs. YC and YF. Caspase-3 showed an increase in SC vs. YC and in SF vs. YC, YF and SC, with a higher rate of apoptosis and greater evidence of hepatic steatosis in SF.
Significance: Our study suggests that high fructose contributes significantly to S-nitrosylation and with a higher rate of apoptosis in the livers of aged animals, suggesting that diets rich in sugar can cause irreversible damage to the body during aging.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/uniknowindevolp-152