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Longevity and antioxidant enzymes, non-enzymatic antioxidants and oxidative stress in the vertebrate lung: a comparative study

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Abstract

It has been proposed that antioxidants can be longevity determinants in animals. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to try to relate free radicals with maximum life span. This study compares the lung tissue of various vertebrate species — amphibia, mammals and birds — showing very different and well known maximum life spans and life energy potentials. The lung antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, Se-dependent and non-Se-dependent glutathione peroxidases, and glutathione reductase showed significantly negative correlations with maximum life span. The same was observed for the lung antioxidants, reduced glutathione and ascorbate. It is concluded that a generalized decrease in tissue antioxidant capacity is a characteristic of longevous species. It is suggested that a low rate of free radical recycling (free-radical generation and scavenging) can be an important factor involved in the evolution of high maximum animal longevities. A low free-radical production could be responsible for a low rate of damage at critical sites such as mitochondrial DNA.

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Abbreviations

CAT:

catalase

COX:

cytochrome oxidase

GPx:

glutathione peroxidase

GR:

glutathione reductase

GSH:

reduced glutathione

GSSG:

oxidized glutathione

LEP:

life energy potential

MDA:

malondialdehyde

MLSP:

maximum life span

MR:

metabolic rate

MW:

molecular weight

PO2 :

partial pressure of oxygen

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

VO2 :

basal oxygen consumption

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Biology-II (Animal Physiology), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    R. Pérez-Campo, M. López-Torres, C. Rojas, S. Cadenas & G. Barja

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  1. R. Pérez-Campo
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  2. M. López-Torres
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  3. C. Rojas
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  4. S. Cadenas
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  5. G. Barja
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Pérez-Campo, R., López-Torres, M., Rojas, C. et al. Longevity and antioxidant enzymes, non-enzymatic antioxidants and oxidative stress in the vertebrate lung: a comparative study. J Comp Physiol B 163, 682–689 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00369520

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