Although aluminium (Al) has been implicated in various neuropathological states with aging due to its involvement in neurotoxicity, the exact role of the metal ion is still unclear.
The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether the antioxidant enzymes of the brain protecting from oxidative damages which accumulate with aging are regulated by Al in an age-dependent manner.
The inhibitory effect of Al on the catalase activity of brain homogenates of two species of poikilothermic vertebrates was studied in vitro using a spectrophotometric method.
At a final concentration of 666 microM, the metal ion inhibited the enzyme activity of the brain in both species. In fish brain the degree of inhibition was not age-dependent. On the other hand, the rate of inhibition increased between young and middle-aged lizards followed by a decline in the old counterparts.
Al inhibits catalase activity but this effect may not be a major contributing factor in the aging of the brain in the two species capable of maintaining their antioxidant capacity until old age.