Evaluation of oxidative stress and inflammation in a senescent rat experimental model of insulin resistance

Abstract

The Free Radical Theory of Aging proposes that changes in the elderly result from an imbalance between oxidative damages and antioxidants defenses. Following oxidative stress, there is an increase in circulating factors, such as C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha. These factors turn the body in a state of chronic inflammation, with prolonged activation of the immune system cells that can lead to immunosenescence, characterized by changes in the composition of lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs and in the periphery, turning the individual more susceptible to infections and diseases. It is confirmed that a chronic inflammatory state is associated with insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus and also from an earlier stage disease, being a strong factor in its development. The elderly population with insulin resistance and fasting hyperglycemia, but not characterized as diabetic, is becoming more frequently in the world population, and for this reason studies are necessaries to evidence that the link between these patients with diabetes. Thus, initially will use a model of elderly Wistar rats with insulin resistance to evaluate inflammatory parameters, including detection of the pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines plasma levels, and the oxidative parameters through the detection of the production of reactive oxygen species, expression of NADPH oxidase subunits and reduced and oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) in neutrophils. The spleen and lymph nodes will be examined to determine the lymphocyte subsets and present cytokine. (AU)