Maturation increases superoxide radical production without increasing oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata)

• Published in: Canadian journal of zoology Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. 206 - 212
• Main Authors: Vázquez-Medina, J. P, Olguín-Monroy, N. O, Maldonado, P. D, Santamaría, A, Königsberg, M, Elsner, R, Hammill, M. O, Burns, J. M, Zenteno-Savín, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa National Research Council of Canada 01.03.2011; NRC Research Press; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mammals; Muscles; Musculoskeletal system; Nonnative species; Oxidative stress; Physiological aspects; Proteins; Striated muscle. Tendons; Superoxide; Vertebrates; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; Zoology; United States; Ripening; Oxidative stress; Carnivora; Vertebrata; Reactive oxygen species; Mammalia; Enzyme; Superoxide dismutase; Oxidoreductases; Intraspecific comparison; Striated muscle
• ISSN: 0008-4301; 1480-3283; 1480-3283; 0008-4301
• DOI: 10.1139/Z10-107

Diving vertebrates represent unique models for the study of the physiological responses to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress because of their adaptability to cope with dive-derived ROS production. We hypothesized that in the skeletal muscle of a diving mammal, the hooded seal ( Cystophora cristata (Erxleben, 1777)), ROS production increases with maturation but the accumulation of oxidative damage does not. To test this, we analyzed the tissue capacity to produce ROS, the accumulation of oxidative damage, and the activity and protein content of the cooper, zinc, and manganese dependent superoxide dismutases (Cu,ZnSOD, MnSOD) in skeletal muscle from neonates, weaned pups, and adult hooded seals. Our results showed higher tissue capacity to produce ROS, higher Cu,ZnSOD and MnSOD activities, and higher MnSOD protein content in adult seals than in pups. No differences in oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, or DNA were detected among groups. Results suggest that increased SOD activity likely counters the oxidative damage commonly associated with increased ROS production. These findings highlight the unusual tolerance of skeletal muscle of seals to increased ROS production.