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Age-related quantitative changes in enzyme activities of rat brain

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Abstract

The patterns of brain enzymes linked to energy metabolism have been determined in rats aged between 3 and 21 months and compared to those of the developing brain as an estimate of the senescent energy capacity of this organ. During aging, pyruvate kinase increases, pointing towards an enhancement of the glucose-dependence of this organ. However, NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase declines, suggesting a reduction of Krebs cycle activity in the aged rat brain. An increase in cytoplasmic NAD-malate dehydrogenase found during aging could provide an alternative mechanism of NAD recovery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departmento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular Centro de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid-34, Spain

    J. Vitorica, A. Andrés, J. Satrústegui & A. Machado

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  1. J. Vitorica
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  2. A. Andrés
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  3. J. Satrústegui
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  4. A. Machado
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Vitorica, J., Andrés, A., Satrústegui, J. et al. Age-related quantitative changes in enzyme activities of rat brain. Neurochem Res 6, 127–136 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964829

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