Several key ROS-detoxifying enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), SOD2, catalase 1 (CAT1), and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), function as downstream gene targets of PGC-1α (23). We therefore examined the basal transcription level of these antioxidant defense system genes in brain using quantitative RT-PCR. The mRNA expression levels of SOD1, SOD2, CAT1, and GPX1 were considerably reduced in mPFC of KO mice after PWSI compared with group-housed fGluN1 controls (Figure 6A). In contrast, no significant reduction in the mRNAs of these ROS-detoxifying enzymes was observed in either group-housed KO or PWSI-treated fGluN1 controls. Down-regulation of the antioxidant defense system was also confirmed by the evaluation of SOD enzyme activity (Figure 6B). These results suggested that the antioxidant defense system in the cortex is defective in KO mice following PWSI.
