Vitamin E Deficiency as a Model of Precocious Brain Aging: Assessment by X-Ray Microanalysis and Morphometry

Authors

Carlo Bertoni-Freddari, INRCA Research Department
Patrizia Fattoretti, INRCA Research Department
Ugo Caselli, INRCA Research Department
Roberta Paoloni, INRCA Research Department
William Meier-Ruge, University of Basel

Abstract

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a known biological antioxidant able to quench the lipid peroxidation chain and to protect the cellular structures (e.g., plasma membranes) from the attack of free radicals which are reported to play a primary role in aging. To assess whether the absence of α-tocopherol from the diet of young laboratory animals may be considered a reliable model of precocious brain aging, intracellular ionic content of brain cortex pyramidal cells, ultrastructural features of synaptic contact zones, synaptic mitochondria and perykarial mitochondria positive to the succlillc dehydrogenase (SDH) histochemical reaction with copper ferrocyanide have been investigated by X-ray microanalysis and computer-assisted morphometry in young, adult, old and 11-month-old vitamin E deficient rats. Our data document significant alterations of intracellular ionic content, synaptic contact areas and synaptic and perykarial mitochondria in aging. Vitamin E deficiency caused similar alterations in adult animals. Taking into account the known role of α-tocopherol in protecting the cellular membrane structure, we support that the common process underlying the changes found in aging and vitamin E deficiency is an excessive deterioration of the neuronal membrane.

Recommended Citation

Bertoni-Freddari, Carlo; Fattoretti, Patrizia; Caselli, Ugo; Paoloni, Roberta; and Meier-Ruge, William (1995) "Vitamin E Deficiency as a Model of Precocious Brain Aging: Assessment by X-Ray Microanalysis and Morphometry," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 9: No. 1, Article 22.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol9/iss1/22