Mice lacking glutathione peroxidase-1 activity show increased tunel staining and an accelerated inflammatory response in brain following a cold-induced injury

Abstract

The mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration are complex and multifactorial. Oxidative stress has been identified as an important constituent in this process and the use of transgenic and knockout mice has allowed the role of key components of the antioxidant pathway to be evaluated. In this study, we have used mice lacking the glutathione peroxidase-1 gene in order to determine the consequences of a reduced capacity to neutralize hydrogen peroxide toward the pathological outcomes following cold-induced brain injury. Analysis of brain cryosections using TUNEL staining revealed a significant increase in brain cell death in knockout mice compared to that seen in wild-type mice. Interestingly, c..