Aim: 

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system which is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the pathological consequences of this disease have been scarcely studied at a peripheral level. Xanthine oxidase is a cytosolic enzyme widely distributed in mammalian tissues and experimental evidence has implicated this enzyme in oxidative stress-related diseases. In this study we have investigated, in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, the xanthine oxidase activity in kidney, heart, lung and thymus.

Methods: 

Female and male adult triple-transgenic mice for Alzheimer's disease (3xTgAD) and nontransgenic control mice were studied. At 6-months of age they were sacrificed and tissue homogenates from kidney, heart, lung and thymus were obtained to evaluate xanthine oxidase activity using an"Amplex Red Xanthine/XO Assay" kit.

Results: 

In general, xanthine oxidase activity is increased in transgenic mice (female and male) with respect to the control groups, with females exhibiting significative higher values in heart and thymus and males in kidney. When studying female and male control groups, xanthine oxidase activity did not show any differences in the organs analyzed with the exception of kidney, in which the males exhibited higher activity levels.

Conclusion: 

Alzheimer's disease mice, both males and females, show an oxidative stress, measured by the xanthine oxidase activity, in the organs studied. Females suffer the greatest deterioration when the disease appears.

Support: Group of Research UCM (910379ENEROINN) and RETICEF (RD06/0013/0003).