An acceleration of age-related increases in levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor in selected tissues from senescence-accelerated mice (SAM-P/8).

An investigation was made of age-related changes in levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) in selected tissues and of testosterone in serum in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM-P/8) and in the control mice (senesence-resistant mice; SAM-R/1). The concentrations of testosterone in serum were higher in SAM-P/8 than in SAM-R/1 at ages 2 and 4 mo. The level of beta-NGF in the thymus from SAM-R/1 increased with age, resulting in a statistically significant difference in its level between mice at ages 2 and 12 mo. By contrast, there was a transient increase in SAM-P/8 at around age 4 mo with a subsequent decrease. Consequently, significant differences were apparent in levels of beta-NGF between the two types of mouse at ages 2 and 4 mo. Similar results were obtained in the adrenal gland and testis. Compared to SAM-R/1 at age 2 mo, the average concentrations of beta-NGF in the hypophysis were higher in SAM-R/1 at ages 4 and 8 mo and in SAM-P/8 at all ages. In other tissues tested, no remarkable differences were detected. Our present results indicate that, in SAM-P/8, the elevation in levels of beta-NGF in the thymus, adrenal gland, testis, and hypophysis occurs in the early period of life compared to the control mice. Possible dysfunction of the disorder of hypophysis is discussed.