4. Discussion
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules or
intermediates that are continuously produced by all aerobic organisms, primarily as a consequence of aerobic respiration. Accumulation
of ROS results in oxidative damage to important molecules such as
proteins, lipids, and DNA, which may result in cellular dysfunction and
mutations, thus promoting the development of disease.
Ageing is a physiologic process associated with many structural
and functional changes in different organs and tissues, including the
liver [28]. The liver plays an important role in metabolism and
detoxification. Furthermore, it has been revealed in the literature that
the majority of Phase II antioxidant and detoxification enzymes are
regulated by the antioxidant response element (ARE)-Nrf2 pathway
[29]. Suh et al. [30] have also demonstrated age-related declines in
GSH levels and GSH biosynthetic capacity, thus further promoting
oxidative damage as a consequence of ageing. Recently, we have
discovered that varying levels of antioxidants in ageing rats might be
related to alterations in the Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathway[31].On
the other hand, age-related disorders in lipid metabolism are also
likely to contribute to these effects [32]. An increase in oxidative
damage and a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the liver suggest
that oxidative stress may have an impact on age-related liver
disorders. In this study, we investigated whether anthocyanin-rich
mulberry might have an effect on the antioxidant capacity and ageassociated disorders observed in senescence-accelerated-prone mice
(SAMP8), which is a strain of mice that has gained attention in
gerontological dementia research due to its characteristic learning
and memory deficits when compared to the SAMR strain, which
shows normal aging[12]