Age-related differences in the oxidative stress response of primary rat hepatocytes

Various studies indicate that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated cellular damage play an important role in ageing of various organs, including the liver. Especially high concentrations of ROS in the mitochondria lead to oxidative damages, which have been proposed as one major cause of cellular ageing and death. Conceivably, the decrease of cytosolic and/or mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) concentrations as well as altered enzyme activities could be involved in the progressive redox imbalance of the ageing cell. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified so far. Our ap…