Increase In SOD Levels Research Articles

Insights on germinability and desiccation tolerance in developing neem seeds (Azadirachta indica): Role of AOS, antioxidative enzymes and dehydrin-like protein

The germinability and desiccation tolerance (DT) in developing seed are regulated by cellular metabolism involving active oxygen species (AOS) and protective proteins during maturation drying. The aim of the present investigation was to unravel the functions of AOS (superoxide, H2O2 and OH-radical), antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT and APX) and dehydrin-like proteins in regulating the germinability and DT in undried and artificially desiccated developing neem seeds. Germination was first observed in seeds of 8 weeks after anthesis (waa) whereas DT was noticed from 9 waa. High levels of superoxide in undried and artificially desiccated seeds of 9 waa were rapidly declined up to 15 waa with simultaneous increase in levels of SOD (quantitative and isoenzymes) that dismutates superoxide with corresponding formation and accumulation of H2O2. Activities and isoenzymes of APX and CAT were promoted in seeds from 9 to 12 waa. Intensity of dehydrin-like proteins increased as development progressed in seeds with higher intensities in slow dried (SD) seeds. Desiccation modulated the metabolism for the acquisition of germinability and DT in the developing neem seeds from 8 to 15 waa by altering the levels of superoxide, H2O2 and OH-radical those possibly act as signalling molecules for reprogramming protective proteins. Desiccation mediated the expression of new bands of SOD and APX in undried as well as SD seeds during 9–12 waa but the bands were more intense in SD seeds. The superoxide and H2O2-regulated intensity of dehydrin-like protein in SD seeds further validated our conclusion.

Naringin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac injury in mice.

Previous research has demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce sepsis and lead to myocardial dysfunction. Naringin has various biological activities in LPS-induced sepsis. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effects of Naringin on LPS-induced cardiac injury and clarify its potential mechanism. We found that in vivo treatment with Naringin significantly ameliorated body weight loss, and attenuated cardiac histopathological changes after LPS challenge. Furthermore, Naringin inhibited LPS-induced increase of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 activities to alleviate inflammatory response in heart. Moreover, Naringin supplement dramatically increased SOD levels, and prevented MDA levels to ameliorate oxidative stress compared with the LPS group in heart. Lastly, treatment with Naringin also significantly decreased the ratio of BAX to BCL-2 to resist apoptosis in heart. It is concluded that Naringin may be a promising therapeutic agent on LPS-induced cardiac injury by anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN Zn TERHADAP KADAR GLUKOSA DARAH DAN KADAR SUPEROKSIDA DISMUTASE PADA TIKUS WISTAR YANG DIINDUKSI STREPTOZOTOCIN

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. Giving Zn could reduce the reactivity of ROS due to hyperglycemia by increasing SOD status. Zinc ability as an antioxidant also can improve blood glucose level in diabetes mellitus patients. To prove the effect of Zn with the doses of 3 mg/kg BW and 5 mg/kg BW for 30 days onblood glucose and SOD levels in Wistar rats induced by STZ. Twenty-eight rats were divided into 4 groups includes K1 as a negative control group, K2 as a positive control group that is induced by STZ 40 mg/kg BW, K3 as group that is induced by STZ 40 mg/kg BW and Zn were given at a dose of 3 mg/kg BW for 30 days orally and K4 as aa group that is induced by STZ 40 mg/kg BW and Zn were given at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW for 30 days orally. Examination of blood glucose levels used GODPAP methods and SOD levels checked with a colorimeter method. Data were analyzed using Paired T-Testsand Wilcoxon tests. There was a significant decrease in blood glucose levels after administration of 3 mg/kg BW Zn (p = 0,003) and 5 mg/kg BW (p = 0.018) for 30 days in Wistar rats induced by STZ. There was no significant increase in SOD levels after administration of 3 mg/kg BW Zn (p = 0,120) but a significant increase in SOD levels after administration of 5 mg/kg BW Zn (p = 0,038) for 30 days in Wistar rats induced by STZ. Administration of 5 mg/kg BW Zn for 30 days showed a better effect on blood glucose and SOD levels in Wistar rats induced by STZ when compared with administration of 3 mg/kg BW Zn.

Effect of tea polyphenol on renal function in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the underlying mechanisms

Objective To investigate the effect of tea polyphenol(TP)on renal function in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The combination of high diet feeding with treatment of streptozotocin(30 mg/kg) was used for establishment of rat T2DM model.All rats were randomly divided into normal control group, T2DM control group,low-dose TP-treated group (150 mg/kg), middle-dose TP-treated group(300 mg/kg) and high-doseTP-treated group(600 mg/kg).After TP treatment for 24 weeks, the fasting blood glucose level, renal function and antioxidant effect were observed. Results The fasting blood glucose level(μmol/L), urinary protein excretion rate (μg/min),serum creatinine(μmol/L), blood urea nitrogen level(mmol/L)and the ratio of right to body in low-dose TP-treated groups were 17. 20±10. 01, 212. 46±19. 21, 51. 66±16. 32, 9. 83±3. 18 and 0. 35±0. 02, urinary creatinine(mmol/L)and clearance rate of creatinine(ml/min)were 3. 68±1. 20 and 0. 41±0. 12,superoxide dismutase[SOD, U/(mg·pro)]and catalase[CAT, U/(mg·pro)] were 67. 10 ±5. 93 and 32. 54±2. 98,and malondialdehyde[MDA,nmol/(mg·pro)]was 0. 73±0. 26.These indexes in middle-dose TP-treated group were 14. 37±9. 25, 198. 33±18. 96, 49. 23±16. 78, 8. 52±2. 44, 0. 34±0. 03, 4. 28±1. 37, 0. 49±0. 14, 72. 78±9. 95, 33. 65±3. 26 and 0. 53±0. 23 respectively, and those were 13. 96±9. 85,199. 62±21. 76,41. 51±15. 28,8. 48±2. 42,0. 35±0. 03,4. 07±1. 38,0. 47 ±0. 16, 71. 44±12. 93,33. 78±3. 12 and 0. 54±0. 27 respectively in high-dose TP-treated group.The three TP-treated groups expressed decreased fasting blood glucose level, urinary protein excretion rate, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen level and the ratio of right to body(P< 0. 05),and increased urinary creatinine and clearance rate of creatinine(P< 0. 01)as compared with T2DM control group.The three TP-treated groups also showed increased levels of SOD and CAT(P< 0. 05), and decreased MDA level as compared with T2DM control group(P< 0. 01) Conclusion TP showed protective effect on renal function in rats with T2DM possibly by decreasing blood glucose level and increasing antioxidant effect. Key words: Tea polyphenol; Diabetic nephropathy; Antioxidant effect

Intermedin ameliorates IgA nephropathy by inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most frequent form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. The role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of IgAN has been reported. Intermedin (IMD) is a newly discovered peptide that is closely related to adrenomedullin. We have recently reported that IMD can significantly reduce renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by diminishing oxidative stress and suppressing inflammation. The present study was designed to explore whether IMD ameliorates IgAN via oxidative stress- and inflammation-dependent mechanisms. Our results showed that IMD administration resulted in the prevention of albuminuria and ameliorated renal pathomorphological changes. These findings were associated with (1) decreased renal TGF-β1 and collagen IV expression, (2) an increased SOD level and reduced MDA level, (3) the inhibition of the renal activation of NF-κB p65 and (4) the downregulation of the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, MCP-1 and MMP-9) in the kidney. These results indicate that IMD in the kidney protects against IgAN by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing inflammation.

Effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin on mitochondrial injury in hippocampus and cognition impairment in a rat model of obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia

Objective To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin(GSPE) on mitochondrial injury in hippocampus and learning-memory impairment after obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia in rats. Methods Male SD rats(n=80) were randomly divided into control group, model group, low dose of GSPE treatment group and high dose of GSPE treatment group.Rats in control group were exposed in air, the model group were suffered from intermittent hypoxia conditions(50 ml/L, 8-hour-intermittent hypoxia everyday, and the duration of experiment 2 and 6 weeks, respectively). Mitochondrion pathology in hippocampal region was observed using electron microscope; malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and superoxide dismutase activity were detected by colorimetry and apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL method. The cognitive function of rats in each group was assessed with the Morris water maze (MWM). Results After hypoxia, mitochondrion was significantly injured.The MDA contents were increased(79.86±2.52, 88.26±2.86) and SOD level decreased(70.67±6.70, 64.26±7.86). The number of neural apoptotic cells was significantly enhanced (9.68±0.79, 15.9±2.92). MWM test showed that the escaping latency was prolonged and the frequency of crossing the platform was decreased(P<0.05). Compared with that in the model group, low dose of GSPE decreased MDA contents (76.38±1.96, 82.16±2.02), increased SOD level(76.20±6.86, 70.58±6.86), and decreased apoptotic cells(6.60±0.69, 9.54±1.36). MWM test showed that the escaping latency was shortened and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased in GSPE treatment groups(P<0.05). Compared with low dose of GSPE, high dose of GSPE decreased MDA contents increased SOD level and decreased apoptotic cells.MWM test showed that the escaping latency was shortened and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion GSPE can attenuate mitochondrial injury and improve learning-memory function after obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia. Key words: Sleep apnea; Learning memory; Mitochondrion; Grape seed proanthocyanidin

Role of free radical scavengers in oral malignancies treated with radiotherapy

Background: Radiotherapy has an important role in treatment of oral cancer, but it causes some deleterious effect on healthy cells. Radiation produces free radicals which cause lipo-peroxidation, alteration of protein, and DNA damage, and eventually cell death. This study is designed to evaluate protective role of antioxidants in oral malignancies treated with radiotherapy. Methods: This study is conducted in patients of oral cancer treated with radiotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups, control (n=7) and test (n=9). Patients in control group treated with radiotherapy alone and in test group were supplemented with oral antioxidants throughout the radiotherapy course. Pre and post radiotherapy levels of MDA, SOD and Glutathione reductase were measured in blood and cancerous tissue in both groups and statistically compared. TNM staging before and after radiotherapy and side effects of radiotherapy were also compared in both groups. Results: On statistical comparison of mean difference values of MDA, SOD &amp; GR of control v/s test group, it was noticed that there was a significant reduction in MDA (p&lt;0.05) and significant increase in GR levels (p&lt;0.05) but non significant increase in SOD levels (p&gt;0.05) in test group in comparison to control group for both blood and tissue levels. TNM status of patients improved significantly after radiotherapy in test group. Comparison of side effects between both groups indicated that there was reduction in side effects in test group after radiotherapy. Conclusion: These findings indicated the protective role of antioxidants against free radicals produced in oral malignancies treated with radiotherapy.

In VivoHypotensive and Physiological Effects of a Silk Fibroin Hydrolysate on Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

A silk fibroin hydrolysate (SFH) exhibited a pronounced in vivo blood pressure-lowering effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) accompanied with decreases in the plasma angiotensin II, endothelin (ET), TNF-α and NO concentrations. We also observed a markedly decreased LPO level, a parameter of oxidative tissue damage, in the medium- and high-dose SFH-treated groups which was accompanied by an increased SOD level in erythrocytes. Our data suggest ACE inhibition together with an improved antioxidative status as the underlying antihypertensive mechanism for the silk fibroin hydrolysate. Since SFH could markedly lower the blood pressure and improve several physiological parameters involved in the occurrence of hypertension, it could be used as a possible supplement against cardiovascular diseases and as a functional food ingredient.

Antioxidant activities, a-glucosidase inhibitory in vitro and effects of Lysimachia paridiformis Franch. var. stenophylla Franch. on alloxan-induced diabetic mice in vivo

To investigate the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro and effects ofLysimachia paridiformis Franch. var. stenophylla Franch (LPF) on alloxan-induced diabetic mice in vivo, 96-microplate-based method was used to assay α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and antioxidant activity was determined by the method of DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. The model of diabetic mice was induced by alloxan. Extract of n-BuOH (LPFBU, IC50 = 20.00 μg/ml) had the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in three extracts. LPFBU had the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH: IC50=15.69 μg/ml, ABTS: IC50=11.19 μg/ml and FRAP = 756.40±21.21 μmol TE/g respectively). Compared with diabetic control mice, oral administration of EtOAC extract (LPFEA, 1000,500 mg/kg, respectively) significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, serum TC, TG and MDA levels in diabetic rats, while it significantly increased liver glycogen content and increased SOD levels without statistical significance. The results indicated that LPFBU and LPFEA exhibited the higher activity of α-glucosidase inhibitory and a certain antioxidant activity. LPFEA has some good antidiabetic activity and good effects on diabetes complications. It may be useful in prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetes-associated diseases. Key words: Lysimachia paridiformis Franch. var. stenophylla Franch., α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, antioxidant activity, diabetes.

Bioactivity and pharmacokinetics of two human serum albumin-thymosin alpha1-fusion proteins, rHSA-Talpha1 and rHSA-L-Talpha1, expressed in recombinant Pichia pastoris.

Thymosin-alpha1 (Talpha1) is indicated for the treatment of certain viral infections, including hepatitis B and C, and cancers, such as melanoma. In this paper, the fusion genes encoding human serum albumin (HSA) and Talpha1 with (rHSA-L-Talpha1) and without a linker peptide (rHSA-Talpha1) were constructed and overexpressed in P. pastoris. Through the process of ion interaction chromatography (Q-Sepharose F.F), hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Phenyl Sepharose HP) and affinity chromatography (Blue Sepharose F.F), the purity of fusion proteins was greater than 97%. In contrast to the reactivity of normal spleen cells to Con A, the data of in vitro murine spleen lymphocytes proliferation experiment suggested that spleen cells achieved a higher degree of T cell maturation after rHSA-L-Talpha1, rHSA-Talpha1 and Talpha1 treatments, respectively. Moreover, rHSA-L-Talpha1, rHSA-Talpha1 and Talpha1 can also antagonize dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of thymocyte sub-populations. In hydrocortisone-induced immunosuppression mice (in vivo experiments), after subcutaneous injections with two fusion proteins and Talpha1 for seven consecutive days, the net increment of body weight, the spleen index and the thymus index were significantly improved. Simultaneously, the increase in SOD level and the decrease in MDA level in plasma were observed. The pharmacokinetic data of rHSA-L-Talpha1 and rHSA-Talpha1 administered in rats showed an improved pharmacokinetic profile with a conspicuous prolonged half life. The analysis of bioactivity and pharmacokinetics suggested that fusion proteins rHSA-L-Talpha1 and rHSA-Talpha1 were new drug candidates.

Whey Protein, -Lactalbumin and -Lactoglobulin in Sprague Dawley Rat

Background: Whey is a by-product of cheese production; it is one of the components which separate from milk after curdling, when rennet or an edible acidic substance is added. Whey protein (WP) is typically a mixture of beta-lactoglobulin (-lg) (~65%), alpha-lactalbumin (-la) (~25%), and serum albumin (~8%), which are soluble in their native culture forms and it has the highest biological value of any known protein. Materials and Methods: Comparative studies were performed to assess the efficacy of WP, -la and -lg (100, 200 and 300 mg/Kg, Os) in tow animal models: hot plate-induced thermal pain and carrageenan-induced paw inflammation and antioxidant activities in rats. Results: Results revealed that the higher doses of WP, -la and -lg caused significant analgesic effect versus paracetamol (50 mg/Kg) especially after 3 hr-post treatment (potency: 3.01, 3.21 and 3.45, respectively). Whereas after 4hr., WP and -la (300 mg/Kg) treatments had similar analgesic effect. While, -lg (200 and 300 mg/Kg) was the most potent in its analgesic effect when compared with the paracetamol and the other treated groups. In acute anti-inflammatory activity, it was shown that the two doses of -lg (100 and 200 mg /kg) significantly reduced paw oedema after 30 min (potency versus indomethacine was: 1.11 and 1.13). While after 4 hr, the higher dose of -la (300 mg/Kg) had similar effect to that induced by the two doses of -lg (200 and 300 mg/Kg) treatment. The potency of the two doses (100 and 200 mg/Kg) of WP nearly had similar anti-inflammatory effect (time dependent effect). All treatments caused significant antioxidant activity when compared with the control group. The increase in SOD value was dose dependent manner. In which, 300 mg/Kg showed remarkable increase in SOD level with the following rank, -la > -lg > WP > indomethacine (5 mg/Kg) treated groups. These results indicated that -lg produced powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities than - la and WP. As well as, -la possess strong antioxidant activity than -lg and WP treatments. Conclusion: It suggested that -lg, -la and WP could be used safely as natural analgesic and anti- inflammatory drug instead of NSAIDs, which have side effects when used for chronic disorders.

Modulation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Pancreatic Cancer

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the three different forms of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase [i.e., manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), and extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD)] on the malignant phenotype of human pancreatic cancer. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines were infected with adenoviral vectors containing the cDNAs for three different forms of the antioxidant enzyme SOD. Intratumoral injections of the adenoviral vectors were used in nude mice with human tumor xenografts. Increases in immunoreactive protein and enzymatic activity were seen after infections with the AdMnSOD, AdCuZnSOD, or AdEcSOD constructs. Increased SOD activity decreased superoxide levels and increased hydrogen peroxide levels. Increasing SOD levels correlated with increased doubling time. Cell growth and plating efficiency decreased with increasing amounts of the adenoviral constructs, with the AdCuZnSOD vector having the greatest effect in decreasing in vitro tumor growth. In contrast, inhibiting endogenous SOD with small interfering RNA increased superoxide levels and promoted tumor growth. Of the three SODs, tumors grew the slowest and survival was increased the greatest in nude mice injected with the AdEcSOD construct. Scavenging plasma membrane-generated superoxide may prove beneficial for suppression of pancreatic cancer growth.

A Measurable Increase in Oxidative Damage Due to Reduction in Superoxide Detoxification Fails to Shorten the Life Span of Long-Lived Mitochondrial Mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans

SOD-1 and SOD-2 detoxify superoxide in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. We find that, although several long-lived mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans have increased SOD levels, this phenomenon does not correlate with life span or growth rate. Furthermore, although disruption of sod-1 or -2 expression produces numerous phenotypes, including increased sensitivity to paraquat and increased oxidative damage to proteins (except in daf-2 mutants), this fails to shorten the life span of these long-lived mutants. In fact, sod-1(RNAi) increases the life span of daf-2 mutants and sod-2(RNAi) that of clk-1 mutants. Our results suggest that increased superoxide detoxification and low oxidative damage are not crucial for the longevity of the mutants examined, with the possible exception of daf-2, where our results are inconclusive. These results are surprising because several of the long-lived mutants that we examined specifically affect mitochondrial electron transport, a process whose involvement in life-span determination is believed to be related to superoxide generation. We discuss the significance of our findings in light of the oxidative stress theory of aging.

Antioxidative stress response in workers exposed to carbon disulfide.

To study the effects of carbon disulfide (CS2) on antioxidative stress systems of exposed workers. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and thiobarbituric acid test (BAT) were conducted on 67 exposed workers and 88 controlled ones in a viscose rayon factory to determine their serum cuprozinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels. The average levels of CuZnSOD in workers exposed to CS2 both above and below 10 mg/m3 were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.0001), showing some dose-effect and dose-response relationships. SOD levels increased when the exposure index (EI) was less than 300, and remained at a high level at the range of 300 to 900. When EI was higher than 900, SOD tended to decrease. Meanwhile, the serum MDA levels increased. Both CS2 concentrations and exposure time contribute to the MDA levels. CS2 exposure could influence the stress response of the oxidative-antioxidative system of workers. Increased SOD levels could be considered as the stress response of antioxidative system to CS2 exposure in the early stages, and the influence of CS2 on SOD might be bi-directional. SOD and MDA might become objective indices in workers' health surveillance. The role of these two indices in the intoxication mechanism still needs to be clarified.

The pro-oxidative activity of SOD and nitroxide SOD mimics.

Native Cu,Zn-SOD and synthetic SOD mimics sometimes demonstrate an apparently anomalous bell-shaped dose-response relationship when protecting various biological systems from oxidative stress. Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for such an effect, including: overproduction of H(2)O(2), peroxidative activity of SOD, and opposing roles played by O(2)(*-) in both initiation and termination of radical chain reactions. In the present study, ferrocyanide and thiols, which are susceptible to one-electron and two-electron oxidation, respectively, were subjected to a flux of superoxide in the presence and absence of SOD or SOD mimics. The results show that 1) either O(2)(*-)/HO(2)(*) or H(2)O(2) alone partially inactivates papain, whereas when combined they act synergistically; 2) nitroxide SOD mimics, but not SOD, exhibit a bell-shaped dose-response relationship in protecting papain from inactivation; 3) SOD, which at low dose inhibits superoxide-induced oxidation of ferrocyanide, loses its antioxidative effect as its concentration increases. These findings offer an additional explanation for the pro-oxidative activity of SOD and SOD mimics without invoking any dual activity of O(2)(*-) or a combined effect of SOD and H(2)O(2). The most significant outcome of an increase in SOD level is a decrease of [O(2)(*-)](steady state), rather than any notable elevation of [H(2)O(2)](steady state). As a result, the reaction kinetics of the high oxidation state of each catalyst is altered. In the presence of ultra-low [O(2)(*-)](steady state), the oxidized form of SOD [Cu(II),Zn-SOD] or SOD mimic (oxo-ammonium cation) does not react with O(2)(*-) but rather oxidizes the target molecule that it was supposed to have protected. Consequently, these catalysts exert an anti- or pro-oxidative effect depending on their concentration.

Overexpression of Superoxide Dismutase Protects Plants from Oxidative Stress (Induction of Ascorbate Peroxidase in Superoxide Dismutase-Overexpressing Plants).

Photosynthesis of leaf discs from transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) that express a chimeric gene that encodes chloroplast-localized Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD+) was protected from oxidative stress caused by exposure to high light intensity and low temperature. Under the same conditions, leaf discs of plants that did not express the pea SOD isoform (SOD-) had substantially lower photosynthetic rates. Young plants of both genotypes were more sensitive to oxidative stress than mature plants, but SOD+ plants retained higher photosynthetic rates than SOD- plants at all developmental stages tested. Not surprisingly, SOD+ plants had approximately 3-fold higher SOD specific activity than SOD- plants. However, SOD+ plants also exhibited a 3- to 4-fold increase in ascorbate peroxidase (APX) specific activity and had a corresponding increase in levels of APX mRNA. Dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase specific activities were the same in both SOD+ and SOD- plants. These results indicate that transgenic tobacco plants that overexpress pea Cu/Zn SOD II can compensate for the increased levels of SOD with increased expression of the H2O2-scavenging enzyme APX. Therefore, the enhancement of the active oxygen-scavenging system that leads to increased oxidative stress protection in SOD+ plants could result not only from increased SOD levels but from the combined increases in SOD and APX activity.

Leucocyte superoxide dismutase levels in acute and chronic leukemias

Superoxide dismutase “SOD” enzyme levels in leucocytes of patients with acute and chronic leukemia, were measured by using Misra and Fridovich's epinephrine method. In all types of leukemia, the SOD levels were found to be significantly higher than normals. However, these levels decreased to normal in remission. No relationship was found between the SOD level and types of leukemia. The absence of relationship between the increase in SOD level and various clinical parameters suggests that this increase is the result of a disturbed gene expression in the stem cells. Hence it is of interest to ascertain the effect of the chemotherapy leading to the normalization of the SOD levels.