Date of Award

2005

Degree Name

M.S. in Biology

Department

Department of Biology

Abstract

Aging is associated with several physiological changes. An important physiological change seen in aging is a shift in the balance between oxidants and antioxidants, in which increased oxidants, or free radicals, seen with aging lead to increased cellular damage, also called oxidative stress. Immune function of elderly individuals seems to be significantly impacted through a decline of immunologic function as well as dysregulation of inflammatory and specific immune responses. Oxidative stress and the accumulation of free radicals have been implicated in the decline of immune function seen in the aged. Antioxidants, both intracellular and exogenous, counteract free radical damage to cells through the inactivation of free radicals. Through their free radical inactivation and scavenging capabilities, dietary antioxidants have been shown to ameliorate several age-related disease states associated with the accumulation of free radicals and improve immune function in the elderly. The objective of this study was to determine whether the antioxidant cocktail Thiomax™ had any effect on immune function, through measurement of mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte subsets, antibody production, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in young and old felines. Similarly, the effects of Thiomax™ on glutathione status, and oxidative stress, as measured by serum lipid peroxidation, were measured in these animals. Twenty young (2.68-2.75 years) and aged (9.12-16.22 years) felines were maintained on a control or Thiomax™ diet throughout the treatment period. Aged felines exhibited a significant decline in mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, CD3+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, and levels of the intracellular glutathione, whereas IgM production was significantly greater compared to young felines. Conversely, PGE2 and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly lower in aged compared to young felines. However, Thiomax™ supplementation did not significantly impact any of the parameters measured in either young or aged felines. Further studies need to be conducted with optimal doses of Thiomax™ to further test its effect on immune function in young and aged felines.

Keywords

Antioxidants, Immunity Nutritional aspects, Aging Immunological aspects, Age factors in disease, Felidae

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2005, author

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