Red Blood Cell Superoxide Dismutase Research Articles

Copper, zinc, and iron status of female swimmers

Twelve female swimmers underwent assessment of nutritionalstatus at the start and end of a competitive season to determine the influence of physical training on trace element nutriture. Fat free mass increased (p<0.01) and fat mass decreased (p<0.01). Mean daily energy intake increased (p<0.05) because of increased carbohydrate consumption (p<0.05). Dietary copper, zinc, and iron did not change. Hematocrit and hemoglobin decreased (p<0.05) slightly, but plasma copper, ceruloplasmin, ferritin, iron, and zinc were unchanged. Red blood cell superoxide dismutase activity increased (p<0.05). These findings indicate that trace element nutriture is not adversely affected by physical training when dietary intakes are adequate, and that increases in superoxide dismutase activity are a functional adaptation of copper metabolism to aerobic training.

Altered peroxide metabolism in erythrocytes from children with cystic fibrosis

The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and the lipid peroxidation values in the blood of healthy volunteers were compared with those of children of various ages and of both sexes with cystic fibrosis and with those of the heterozygous parents of these children. The red blood cell superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in children with cystic fibrosis and in their parents are significantly increased. At the same time, the lipid peroxidation of the red blood cells (the quantity of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) is significantly reduced.

Determination of red blood cell superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxid ase in newborns in relation to neonatal hemolysis

Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities have been determined in newborns. Their mean values are approximately the same as in normal adults. In some cases a low content of Superoxide dismutase and/or a high (superoxide dismutase/glutathione peroxidase) ratio are associated with hematological symptoms. In addition, a low superoxide dismutase activity is associated with hyperbilirubinemia and is present in two of the three cases showing maximal acetylphenylhydrazine-induced hemolysis.

Enzyme defense against reactive oxygen derivatives. II. Erythrocytes and tumor cells.

The enzymatic destruction of oxidizing products produced during metabolic reduction of oxygen in the cell (such as singlet oxygen, H2O2 and OH radical) involves the concerted action of superoxide dismutase-which removes O-2 and yields H2O2-and H2O2 removing enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase. A difference in distribution or ratio of these enzymes in various tissues may result in a different reactivity of oxygen radicals. It was found that in red blood cells superoxide dismutase and catalase are extracted in the same fraction as hemoglobin, while glutathione peroxidase appears to be "loosely" bound to the cellular structure. This suggests that in red blood cells catalase acts in series with superoxide dismutase against bursts of oxygen radicals formed from oxyhemoglobin, while glutathione & peroxidase may protect the cell membrane against low concentrations of H2O2. On the other hand, catalase activity is absent in various types of ascites tumor cells, while glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase are found in the cytoplasm. However, the peroxidase/dismutase ratio is lower than in liver cells, and this may provide an explanation for the higher susceptibility of tumor cells to treatments likely to involve oxygen radicals.