Effects of deferoxamine on tissue superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels in experimental head trauma.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of deferoxamine on tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) brain levels after head trauma. Thirty rabbits were divided equally into three groups: group 1 was the sham-operated group, group 2 suffered head trauma (no treatment was given), and group 3 received deferoxamine 50 mg/kg after the trauma. Head trauma was applied unilaterally. One hour after trauma, brain cortices were resected and SOD and GPx levels were determined. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey-HSD tests were used for analysis. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. Baseline SOD levels are preserved in the traumatized side of the deferoxamine-treated group. Although GPx level of the traumatized side of the deferoxamine-treated group decreased significantly, the decrease was significantly less than the nontreated group. Trauma leads to a decrease in brain tissue SOD and GPx levels. Deferoxamine suppresses this decrease completely in SOD level and partially in GPx level when given after trauma.