NGF restores decrease in catalase and increases glutathione peroxidase activity in the brain of aged rats.

The effects of subchronic administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) into the lateral ventricle on catalase and selenium-dependent glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in several areas of the brain in 3-, 12- and 24-month-old rats were studied. NGF given daily (1 microgram for 28 consecutive days) produced in all brain areas studied a significant increase in catalase activity in 12- and 24-month-old rats. The most important finding was a complete restoration in 12- and 24-month-old rats of catalase activity to levels similar to those occurring in young (3-month-old) rats. In addition, NGF produced in comparison to 3-month-old rats and to same age vehicle-treated rats a significant increase in selenium-dependent GSH-Px in all the brain areas studied in 12- and 24-month-old animals, whereas selenium-independent GSH-Px was unaffected. In conclusion, the present results show that long-term administration of NGF into the lateral ventricle significantly increases in old animals the activity of key enzymes involved in the metabolic degradation of hydrogen peroxide.