外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明:外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明：外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L^-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L^-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)对盐胁迫下葡萄叶片中AsA-GSH循环的影响

以两个耐盐程度不同的葡萄品种‘夏黑’(耐盐性较弱)和‘里扎马特’(耐盐性较强)为材料,分析了不同浓度ALA对不同浓度盐胁迫下葡萄叶片中AsA-GSH循环的影响。研究表明:喷施75 mg·L-1 ALA可显著提高2 g·kg-1盐胁迫下‘夏黑’葡萄叶片中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)的活性以及还原型抗坏血酸(As A)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,显著降低氢抗坏血酸(DHA)与氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量;而喷施150 mg·L-1 ALA可显著提高4 g·kg-1盐胁迫下‘里扎马特’葡萄叶片中APX、GR、MDHAR、DHAR的活性以及AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,显著降低DHA与GSSG含量。     

外源一氧化氮供体对NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗叶片ASA-GSH循环的影响

研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗抗坏血酸(ASA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环抗氧化系统及H2O2和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果表明,0.15mmol.L-1SNP能提高300mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗叶片抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)活性,增加还原型抗坏血酸(ASA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,降低脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,提高ASA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比率,降低H2O2和MDA水平,对单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性无显著影响。NO信号转导途径关键酶鸟苷酸环化酶(GC)抑制剂亚甲基蓝(MB)逆转了SNP对盐胁迫下APX、GR、GST活性和ASA、GSH、DHA,H2O2、MDA含量及ASA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比率的调节效应。由此表明,NO可能通过GC介导的cGMP信号转导参与ASA-GSH循环活性氧清除系统的调节,从而缓解盐胁迫诱导的氧化伤害。     

外源α-萘乙酸对花期长期干旱大豆叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以不同耐旱型品种‘南农99-6’和‘科丰1号’大豆为材料,2012年在南京农业大学牌楼试验站进行为期110 d的盆栽试验,研究大豆花期叶面喷施α-萘乙酸(NAA)对长期干旱条件下大豆植株抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:干旱胁迫显著降低了大豆地上部干物质量,叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及活性氧(ROS)水平显著升高,同时,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性,还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值显著升高,其中‘科丰1号’大豆的抗氧化能力更高,从而维持较低的ROS水平和MDA含量.NAA可显著提高叶片中的APX、POD、CAT、MDHAR活性及AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,其中‘科丰1号’大豆叶片的脱氢抗坏血栓还原酶(DHAR)活性和AsA含量极显著增加.     

外源α-萘乙酸对花期长期干旱大豆叶片抗氧化系统的影响

以不同耐旱型品种‘南农99-6’和‘科丰1号’大豆为材料,2012年在南京农业大学牌楼试验站进行为期110 d的盆栽试验,研究大豆花期叶面喷施α-萘乙酸(NAA)对长期干旱条件下大豆植株抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明: 干旱胁迫显著降低了大豆地上部干物质量,叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量及活性氧(ROS)水平显著升高,同时,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（MDHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性,还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及AsA/DHA(双脱氢抗坏血酸)和GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)比值显著升高,其中‘科丰1号’大豆的抗氧化能力更高,从而维持较低的ROS水平和MDA含量.NAA可显著提高叶片中的APX、POD、CAT、MDHAR活性及AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比值,其中‘科丰1号’大豆叶片的脱氢抗坏血栓还原酶（DHAR）活性和AsA含量极显著增加.     

褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响

以‘津春4号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,采用叶面喷施的方法,研究了外源褪黑素对高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片抗坏血酸代谢系统的影响.结果表明:高温胁迫后,黄瓜幼苗叶片过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量明显增加;还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量持续下降,脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量逐渐升高,AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG大幅下降;抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APx)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性明显升高,并在12 h达到最大.外施褪黑素能有效抑制高温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片H2O2和MDA的积累,提高抗氧化物质AsA和GSH含量及抗坏血酸代谢相关酶APx、MDHAR、DHAR和GR活性,从而增强对H2O2的清除能力,抑制活性氧的产生,维持细胞膜的稳定性,减轻高温对植株造成的伤害,提高黄瓜幼苗抵御高温胁迫的能力.     

外源NO对NaCl胁迫下黄瓜（Cucumis sativus L.）幼苗生长和谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响

采用营养液水培,研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)对黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)幼苗生长和叶片谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响.结果表明,正常生长条件下添加NO能促进黄瓜幼苗生长,而添加NO信号传递途径关键酶鸟苷酸环化酶(cGC)抑制剂亚甲基蓝(MB-1)显著抑制了黄瓜幼苗的生长;添加NO显著缓解了盐胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长的抑制,提高了叶片谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、抗坏血酸(ASA)含量,降低了氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,提高了GSH/GSSG,对单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)活性无显著影响;NaCl胁迫下添加NO的同时添加MB-1抑制了GR活性的提高,GSH和ASA含量、GSH/GSSG均降低,GSSG含量提高,但对MDAR、APX和DHAR活性无显著影响,表明NaCl胁迫下NO对GR活性、GSH和ASA含量、GSH/GSSG的调节可能是通过cGC介导的,对MDAR无明显的调节作用,对DHAR、APX的调节还存在其它途径.     

甜樱桃‘佐藤锦’果实生长发育过程AsA含量及其相关酶活性的变化

以黄肉甜樱桃品种‘佐藤锦’为材料,测定了其果实生长发育过程中抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量变化,及其相关代谢酶L-半乳糖脱氢酶(GalDH)、L-半乳糖-1-4-内酯酶(GalLDH)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和过氧化物酶(APX)的活性变化,分析它们在果实生长发育过程中对AsA积累所起的作用。结果表明:(1)‘佐藤锦’果实生长发育过程中总抗坏血酸(T-AsA)、还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)、脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量均在花后0d最高,随后持续下降,而总谷胱甘肽(T-GSH)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量先升后降。(2)随着果实生长发育,AsA和DHA的单果积累量均持续增加,且在果实第二次快速生长期增幅最大;各相关代谢酶活性在甜樱桃果实生长发育过程中呈现出不同的变化趋势,其中GalLDH、MDHAR和DHAR的活性变化同AsA含量变化趋势基本一致。(3)相关性分析发现,GalLDH、MDHAR和DHAR的活性与AsA含量呈极显著正相关关系,说明它们是影响甜樱桃果实AsA含量的关键酶。     

硫化氢对盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的调控效应

盐碱胁迫是植物遭受的常见非生物胁迫之一,气体信号硫化氢(H₂S)在植物响应盐碱胁迫中发挥着重要作用。为探讨H₂S对盐碱胁迫下裸燕麦抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环的调控效应,以品种‘定莜9号’为材料,研究了喷施H₂S供体硫氢化钠(NaHS)或H₂S合成抑制剂羟胺(HA)对盐碱混合胁迫下植株生长、叶片活性氧、膜脂过氧化和AsA-GSH循环中抗氧化物质和关键酶的影响。结果表明: 喷施50 μmol·L^-1 NaHS可缓解50 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合胁迫对裸燕麦生长的抑制,降低超氧阴离子、H₂O₂、丙二醛、氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,提高AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG,而对还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量无显著影响。喷施NaHS还提高了盐碱混合胁迫下裸燕麦叶片AsA合成关键酶L-半乳糖脱氢酶(GalDH)和L-半乳糖-1,4-内酯脱氢酶(GalLDH)及AsA-GSH循环中单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)活性,降低了抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性,而对抗坏血酸氧化酶(AO)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性的影响不大。增添HA后部分或完全解除了喷施NaHS的上述作用。这说明H₂S可通过促进AsA合成和增强MDHAR活性提高AsA-GSH循环效率,降低盐碱胁迫对裸燕麦的氧化伤害。     

Effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the redox states of ascorbate and glutathione in maize leaves under salt stress

This study investigated the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the redox states of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) in maize leaves under NaCl (100 mM) stress. Salt stress increased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), Γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (Γ-ECS), and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH), malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage, and reduced the ratios of reduced and oxidised forms of AsA (AsA/DHA) and GSH (GSH/GSSG) compared with control. Pretreatment with NaHS (H₂S donor) further enhanced the activities of the above enzymes except MDHAR and ameliorated the decrease in the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG compared with the salt stress alone. Pretreatment with NaHS significantly reduced the malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage induced by the salt stress. Pretreatment with NaHS alone did not affect any of the above mentioned parameters compared with the control. Our results suggest that exogenous H2S could maintain the redox states of ascorbate and glutathione by up-regulating the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism and thus play an important role for acquisition of salt stress tolerance in maize.     

Effects of lanthanum on the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism of Vigna radiata seedlings under salt stress

In order to elucidate the role of lanthanum (La) in response of Vigna radiata to a salt stress, we investigated the effects of La on the ascorbate and glutathione metabolism. The results show that in comparison with a control, the salt stress increased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS), and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH), and the content of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH). It also increased the malondialdehyde content (MDA) and electrolyte leakage. The salt stress significantly decreased the ratios of AsA/dehydroascorbate (DHA) and GSH/glutathione disulphide (GSSG) compared with the control. The pretreatment with La not only significantly increased the activities of the above enzymes, the content of AsA, GSH, and the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG, but also significantly reduced the MDA content and electrolyte leakage compared with the salt stress alone. Our results suggest that La could up-regulate the ascorbate and glutathione metabolisms and could have an important role for acquisition of salt stress tolerance in Vigna radiata.     

Reactive oxygen species, ascorbate–glutathione pool, and enzymes of their metabolism in drought-sensitive and tolerant indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings subjected to progressing levels of water deficit

Water deficit for rice is a worldwide concern, and to produce drought-tolerant varieties, it is essential to elucidate molecular mechanisms associated with water deficit tolerance. In the present study, we investigated the differential responses of nonenzymatic antioxidants ascorbate (AsA), glutathione (GSH), and their redox pool as well as activity levels of enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle in seedlings of drought-sensitive rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Malviya-36 and drought-tolerant cv. Brown Gora subjected to water deficit treatment of ?1.0 and ?2.1 MPa for 24–72 h using PEG-6000 in sand cultures. Water deficit caused increased production of reactive oxygen species such as O₂?^?, H₂O₂, and HO? in the tissues, and the level of production was higher in the sensitive than the tolerant cultivar. Water deficit caused reduction in AsA and GSH and decline in their redox ratios (AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG) with lesser decline in tolerant than the sensitive seedlings. With progressive level of water deficit, the activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione transferase increased in the seedlings of both rice cultivars, but the increased activity levels were higher in the seedlings of drought-tolerant cv. Brown Gora compared to the sensitive cv. Malviya-36. Greater accumulation of proline was observed in stressed seedlings of tolerant than the sensitive cultivar. In-gel activity staining of APX revealed varying numbers of their isoforms and their differential expression in sensitive and tolerant seedlings under water deficit. Results suggest that an enhanced oxidative stress tolerance by a well-coordinated cellular redox state of ascorbate and glutathione in reduced forms and induction of antioxidant defense system by elevated activity levels of enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle is associated with water deficit tolerance in rice.     

Relative importance of Na+ and Cl– in NaCl-induced antioxidant systems in roots of rice seedlings

The present study examined the response of antioxidant systems to NaCl stress and the relative importance of Na⁺ and Cl^– in NaCl-induced antioxidant systems in roots of rice seedlings. NaCl treatment caused an increase in the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) in roots of rice seedlings, but had no effect on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). There were detectable differences in APX and GR isoenzymes between control and NaCl-treated roots. Levels of activity for SOD and CAT isoenzymes did not change in NaCl-stressed roots compared with the control roots. NaCl treatment produced an increase in H₂O₂, ascorbate (AsA), dehydro-ascorbate (DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels. Treatment with 50 m M Na-gluconate (whose anion is not permeable to membrane) led to a similar Na⁺ level in roots to that with 100 m M NaCl. It was found that treatment with 50 m M Na-gluconate affected H₂O₂, AsA, and DHA levels, APX and GR activities, OsAPX and OsGR mRNA induction in the same way as 100 m M NaCl. These observed changes seem to be mediated by Na⁺ toxicity and not by Cl^– toxicity. On the other hand, it was found that NaCl, but not Na-gluconate and NaNO₃, caused an increase in GSH and GSSG levels, indicating that Cl^–, rather than Na⁺, is responsible for the NaCl-increased GSH and GSSG levels in roots of rice seedlings.     

Exogenous salicylic acid regulates reactive oxygen species metabolism and ascorbate–glutathione cycle in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria tangutorum</Emphasis> Bobr. under salinity stress

The effect of 0.5–1.5 mM salicylic acid (SA) on modulating reactive oxygen species metabolism and ascorbate–glutathione cycle in NaCl-stressed Nitraria tangutorum seedlings was investigated. The individual plant fresh weight (PFW) and plant dry weight (PDW) significantly increased under 100 mM NaCl while remained unchanged or decreased under 200–400 mM NaCl compared to the control. Superoxide anion (O ₂ ^·? ), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increased whereas the ratios of AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG decreased under varied NaCl treatments. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were enhanced while dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activities remained unvaried under 100–400 mM NaCl stresses. In addition, exogenous SA further increased PFW, PDW and root/shoot ratio. SA effectively diminished O ₂ ^·? accumulation. H₂O₂ and TBARS decreased under 0.5 and 1.0 mM SA treatments compared to those without SA. 0.5 mM of SA increased while 1.0 and 1.5 mM SA decreased APX activities. DHAR activities were elevated by 0.5 and 1.0 mM SA but not by 1.5 mM SA. MDHAR and GR activities kept constant or significantly increased at varying SA concentrations. Under SA treatments, AsA and GSH contents further increased, DHA and GSSG levels remained unaltered, while the decreases in AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios were inhibited. The above results demonstrated that the enhanced tolerance of N. tangutorum seedlings conferred by SA could be attributed mainly to the elevated GR and DHAR activities as well as the increased AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios.     

Spermidine application enhances tomato seedling tolerance to salinity-alkalinity stress by modifying chloroplast antioxidant systems

The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether exogenous spermidine (Spd) protection of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings under salinity-alkalinity stress is associated with antioxidant enzymes in the chloroplast. The effects of exogenous Spd on antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant content in the chloroplast were evaluated in seedlings of salt-sensitive ecotype (Zhongza 9) grown in a 75 mM salinity-alkalinity solution, with or without 0.25 mM Spd foliar spraying. Results showed that salinity-alkalinity stress increased MDA content, superoxide anion O₂^?- generation rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activities and ratio of AsA/DHA and reduced contents of ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), AsA+DHA, glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH+GSSG, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activity and ratio of GSH/GSSG in chloroplasts. The exogenous Spd application combined with salinity-alkalinity stress decreased the O₂^?- generation rate and MDA content compared to salinity-alkalinity stress alone. The exogenous Spd also increased AsA-GSH cycle components and increased all antioxidant enzyme activities in most cases. Therefore, exogenous Spd alleviates salinity-alkalinity stress damage using antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic systems in chloroplasts.     

Combined action of antioxidant defense system and osmolytes in chilling shock-induced chilling tolerance in Jatropha curcas seedlings

Low non-freezing temperature is one of the major environmental factors affecting growth, development and geographical distribution of chilling-sensitive plants, Jatropha curcas is considered as a sustainable energy plants with great potential for biodiesel production. In this study, chilling shock at 5 °C followed by recovery at 26 °C for 4 h significantly improved survival percentage of J. curcas seedlings under chilling stress at 1 °C. In addition, chilling shock could obviously enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), and the levels of antioxidants ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), as well as the contents of osmolytes proline and betaine in leaves of seedlings of J. curcas compared with the control without chilling shock. During the process of recovery, GR activity, AsA, GSH, proline and betaine contents sequentially increased, whereas SOD, APX and CAT activities gradually decreased, but they markedly maintained higher activities than those of control. Under chilling stress, activities of SOD, APX, CAT, GR and GPX, and contents of AsA, GSH, proline and betaine, as well as the ratio of the reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants [AsA/(AsA + DHA) and GSH/(GSH + GSSG)] in the shocked and non-shock seedlings all dropped, but shocked seedlings sustained significantly higher antioxidant enzyme activity, antioxidant and osmolyte contents, as well as ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants from beginning to end compared with control. These results indicated that the chilling shock followed by recovery could improve chilling tolerance of seedlings in J. curcas, and antioxidant enzymes and osmolytes play important role in the acquisition of chilling tolerance.