Fish oil, melatonin and vitamin E attenuates midbrain cyclooxygenase-2 activity and oxidative stress after the administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease whose hallmark pathological features include a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Ciclooxygenase-2 activity induction and oxidative stress have been implicated in the aetiology of Parkinson's disease and in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) animal model of Parkinson disease. Upon administration of fish oil, melatonin and vitamin E, neuroprotective effects on MPTP-induced neurotoxicity have been indicated. The aim of this study was to investigate the time course and compare the potency of these agents alone, on several parameters such as COX-2 and lipid peroxides (LPO) products associated with MPTP neurotoxicity in midbrain homogenates of C57BL/6 mice. Using fish oil (0.0368 g EPA and 0.0184 g DHA, per day), melatonin (10 mg/kg/day), and vitamin E (50 mg/Kg/day) we have now shown that COX-2 activity, LPO and nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly increased in MPTP treated mice (p < 0.001) while fish oil, melatonin and vitamin E treatment were capable of decreasing significantly the outcome of all above noted parameters (p < 0.05). The effect of fish oil on COX-2 activity and nitrite/nitrate levels was more profound than that of vitamin E or melatonin while the latter was more effective on reducing the LPO levels compared to fish oil and vitamin E. In conclusion, the outcome of the neuroprotective effects of these agents is long lasting and of variable potency indicating a different anti-inflammatory mode of action.

Envejecimiento y metabolismo: cambios y regulación

Los estudios sobre los efectos del envejecimiento en la fisiología y el metabolismo cada vez son más, uno de sus objetivos es contribuir a instrumentar programas para mejorar la calidad de vida y prevenir discapacidades en la vejez. Es de gran importancia mencionar que durante el envejecimiento se presenta una desaceleración natural del metabolismo, se produce una serie de cambios en la regulación de la energía, lo que contribuye a la pérdida de peso y grasa; estos cambios en la regulación de la ingesta calórica contribuyen en un aumento de la susceptibilidad al desequilibrio energético tanto positivo como negativo, lo cual va asociado a un deterioro en la salud. Sin embargo, el llegar a la vejez, no es una sentencia de muerte para el metabolismo, por el contrario, éste puede ser controlado mediante el mantenimiento de un estilo de vida activo, aunado a esto investigaciones han demostrado que el metabolismo puede ser regulado mediante el papel que desempeña un sistema de reloj sincronizado (ritmos biológicos), el cual a su vez es modulado por varias proteínas reguladoras; esta relación garantiza que las células funcionen correctamente y por tanto el mantenerse saludables. El objetivo de esta revisión es aportar información actualizada sobre la regulación metabolismo-energía y su relación con la gran variedad de componentes involucrados en el gasto energético que acompañan al envejecimiento; analizar la regulación de este sistema para mejorar la calidad de vida y mantener la salud en la vejez.

Aging and metabolism: changes and regulation. Studies about the effects of aging in the physiology and metabolism are increasingly, one of its objectives is to help implement programs to improve the quality of life and prevent disability in elderly. It is relevant to mention that, during aging, there is a natural metabolic deceleration, a series of changes in the regulation of energy are produced, which contributes to loss of weight and fat; the changes in the regulation of caloric intake contribute to increase the susceptibility to energy imbalance both positive and negative, which is associated with a deterioration in health. However, to grow old, is not a death sentence for metabolism, on the other hand, it can be controlled by maintaining an active lifestyle, coupled with this, research has shown that the metabolism can be regulated by a synchronized clock (circadian rhythms), which is mediated by regulatory proteins, this relationship ensures the proper functioning of the cells and therefore good health. The aim of this review is to provide updated information on the energy- metabolism-regulation and its relationship with the great variety of components involved in energy expenditure that accompany aging, to analyze the regulation of this system to improve the quality of life and maintenance of health in old age.

[Aging and metabolism: changes and regulation]. / Envejecimiento y metabolismo: cambios y regulación.

Studies about the effects of aging in the physiology and metabolism are increasingly, one of its objectives is to help implement programs to improve the quality of life and prevent disability in elderly. It is relevant to mention that, during aging, there is a natural metabolic deceleration, a series of changes in the regulation of energy are produced, which contributes to loss of weight and fat; the changes in the regulation of caloric intake contribute to increase the susceptibility to energy imbalance both positive and negative, which is associated with a deterioration in health. However, to grow old, is not a death sentence for metabolism, on the other hand, it can be controlled by maintaining an active lifestyle, coupled with this, research has shown that the metabolism'can be regulated by a synchronized clock (circadian rhythms), which is mediated by regulatory proteins, this relationship ensures the proper functioning of the cells and therefore good health. The aim of this review is to provide updated information on the energy- metabolism-regulation and its relationship with the great variety of components involved in energy expenditure that accompany aging, to analyze the regulation of this system to improve the quality of life and maintenance of health in old age.