热休克对小白鼠组织中抗鼠化酶活性的影响

热休克诱导小白鼠心、肝、肾、肺、脑等组织细胞ＳＯＤ活性非常显著或显著升高,其中主要诱导ＣｕＺｎ－ＳＯＤ的生物合成;４２℃诱导小白鼠各组织细胞ＣＡＴ活性极显著下降,正常情况下,脑细胞几乎不存在ＣＡＴ活性,４２℃热休克２０ｍｉｎ诱导及ＣＡＴ活力升高;热休克亦诱导各组织ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ活性变化,心,脑细胞ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ极显著升高,对肺的影响较小。ＳＯＤ、ＣＡＴ、ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ协同作用,维持机体正常生理机能。还探     

热休克对家蚕幼虫抗氧化酶活性的影响

热休克诱导各龄蚕组织中的SOD、CAT活性显著升高,如40℃诱导活性最高,CuZn-SOD和Mnop活性也都增加．40℃诱导GSH-Px活性显著升高,而36℃热休克诱导GSH-Px活性降低．幼蚕各部位的抗氧化酶活性存在很大的差异,以胸腹部最高,头部次之,后丝腺最低．热休克对抗氧化酶活性的影响,与幼蚕的生理状态相适应．通过SOD、CAT、GSH-Px协同作用,有助于维持机体正常生理机能．     

水杨酸和热锻炼诱导的高羊茅幼苗的耐热性与抗氧化的关系

研究了水杨酸（SA）处理和热锻炼（HH）对高羊茅（Festuca arundinacea Schred.)幼苗耐热性的影响和在耐热性诱导过程中植物体内可溶性蛋白含量与超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）,过氧化的酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）等3种抗氧化酶的活性变化。结果表明：0.5mmol/L男SA预处理能显著提高高羊茅幼苗在42℃热胁迫（HS）后转至常温下恢复生长18d时的苗高,绿叶数和绿叶指数;在常温下SA提高高羊茅幼苗的CAT活性,降低POD活性,而对SOD的影响不显著;SA和HH均能降低高羊茅幼苗在HS下细胞外渗液电导率,提高可溶性蛋白的含量和SOD、CAT活性,但不能显著提高POD活性。因此,推测SA与HH提高耐热性上具有相似的机理。     

黑斑蛙精巢MDA和抗氧化酶对铅、镉暴露的生态毒性响应

以健康性成熟黑斑蛙为供试动物,以精巢组织丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性为指标,进行了水体铅、镉暴露的生态毒性响应研究.结果表明:(1)精巢MDA含量随铅、镉暴露浓度的升高而明显增加,且呈明显的浓度-效应关系.说明低水平铅、镉的长期暴露对黑斑蛙精巢具有一定的损伤作用;(2)SOD活性在各处理组响应变化不明显,CAT、GSH-Px活性则被显著诱导,说明GSH-Px、CAT在铅、镉引起的精巢抗氧化损伤中起着重要作用;(3)3种抗氧化酶相比,GSH-Px活性对铅、镉暴露响应最敏感,SOD活性的响应最不明显,精巢GSH-Px活性是指示铅、镉暴露的优选生物标志物。     

红葡萄酒对大鼠肝脏抗氧化酶和脂质过氧化的影响

选用雄性SD大鼠,分别灌胃红葡萄酒、酒精及水。实验90 d中每隔30 d处死一批动物,测定大鼠肝脏匀浆组织中的超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase SOD)、过氧化氢酶(Catalase CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(Glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px)活性和脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(Malondialdehyde MDA)含量变化。观察摄入红葡萄酒后大鼠肝脏抗氧化酶活性变化及对肝脏脂质过氧化的影响。结果表明,红葡萄酒能提高SOD活性,且SOD活性与灌胃时间、剂量有一定关系;长期红葡萄酒和酒精摄入可诱导CAT活性增强,加剧肝脏的脂质过氧化(LPO)作用;红葡萄酒组、酒精组0.63、1.25 g/kg剂量GSH-Px活性均明显升高(P<0.05),酒精组1.88 g/kg剂量有极显著性差异(P<0.01);试验初期,红葡萄酒大剂量显著降低肝脏中MDA的含量。试验中期,红葡萄酒中大剂量显著降低MDA含量。试验末期,红葡萄酒大剂量和酒精中大剂量显著升高肝脏中MDA含量。     

褐飞虱高温条件下应激反应及体内保护酶系活性的研究

利用34℃、36℃、38℃3个温度处理褐飞虱的若虫和不同型成虫,研究其在热休克过程中体内保护酶系活性及脂质过氧化物含量的变化。结果表明,热休克对4龄若虫过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性影响大于3龄、5龄,而其成虫期CAT活性则随日龄增加而增加,36℃为CAT清除H2O2最适温度。高龄若虫全内谷胱甘肽过氧化物本(GSH-px）活性高于低龄若虫,老熟成虫体内GSH－px清除H2O2能力强于初羽化成虫,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性与处理温度呈正相关,而同一处理温度下SOD活性随成虫龄期和成虫日龄增加而降低,长型成虫体内CAT、GSH－px、SOD活性均高于短翅型,而雌、雄成虫间CAT、GSH－px、SOD活性无明显差异（α＞0.05）。褐飞虱体内脂质过氧化物（LPO）含量随处理温度升高而上升,同一处理温度下随若虫龄期和成虫日龄的增加而增加,短型成虫体内LPO含量高于长翅型。     

氧化损伤是热胁迫下小金蝠蛾幼虫不能存活的重要原因

【目的】小金蝠蛾Thitarodes xiaojinensis是冬虫夏草菌Ophiocordyceps sinensis的寄主昆虫,生活于高海拔、高寒地区,低温适应性强,但在室温下（25~27℃）不能正常存活。本研究检测了热胁迫（27℃）对小金蝠蛾幼虫消化酶及抗氧化系统的影响,以期揭示小金蝠蛾室温不耐受的生理机制。【方法】小金蝠蛾8龄幼虫分两组进行处理：高温组于27℃下饲养,对照组于16℃下饲养。处理24 h后观察虫体状态,并解剖,取中肠及血淋巴。透射电镜观察中肠细胞线粒体结构,分别测定中肠总蛋白酶和糖基水解酶活性,血淋巴丙二醛（MDA）含量,以及血淋巴保护酶系中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和过氧化物酶（POD）的活性。【结果】两组幼虫中肠总蛋白酶及糖基水解酶活性均随反应温度（16~37℃）升高而增强。协方差分析显示,高温组幼虫酶活性极显著低于对照组（P<0.01）。然而,高温组幼虫在27℃下的酶活性与对照组幼虫在16℃下的酶活性无显著差异（P<0.05）。热胁迫下虫体血淋巴中丙二醛含量显著升高（P<0.05）,提示出现了氧化损伤。透射电镜结果显示,高温组中肠细胞线粒体肿胀,膜受损,嵴排列混乱,结构破坏。对活性氧起清除作用的3种保护酶中,仅POD活性显著升高（P<0.05）,SOD和CAT活性均无显著变化（P>0.05）。【结论】消化酶活性的变化可能不是小金蝠蛾室温不耐受的重要因素;氧化损伤是其热胁迫下不能正常存活的一个重要原因。     

全氟辛烷磺酰基化合物对剑尾鱼肝脏抗氧化物酶活性的影响

目的研究全氟辛烷磺酰基化合物(PFOS)暴露对剑尾鱼(Xiphophorus helleri Heckel)抗氧化物酶活性的影响,探讨PFOS对鱼类的致毒机理。方法使用浸润法以3.5、7.0、14.0和28.0 mg/L四个PFOS浓度为剑尾鱼染毒,定量测定了96 h内肝脏组织中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果 PFOS暴露12 h后,除28.0 mg/L组SOD活性被显著性抑制外,其余各组与对照组均无显著性差异(P>0.05);7.0 mg/L组和14.0 mg/L组在24 h被极显著诱导(P<0.01),并且一直保持至96 h。CAT活性随PFOS浓度的升高而降低,12 h时,除3.5 mg/L组外,其余各组CAT活性被显著或极显著抑制,至24 h时,各组CAT活性有上升趋势,但48 h后,各组呈不断下降趋势持续至96 h,其CAT活性恢复到12 h水平。GSH-PX活性变化与CAT活性变化趋势相似,其中28.0 mg/L组在不同时间均被显著性抑制,并在96 h时抑制率达到最高值64.8%。MDA含量在12 h时呈小幅下降趋势,但随着暴露时间的延长,各处理组MDA含量呈连续上升趋势,并在96 h时达到最高点,诱导率分别为71.2%、70.1%和85.1%。结论结果表明,SOD的高活性是由于机体中超氧阴离子的存在,而高浓度的超氧阴离子能够灭活CAT和GSH-PX活性,因此,CAT和GSH-PX活性始终低于对照组。GSH-PX对PFOS的敏感性高于CAT。MDA含量持续升高反映出细胞组织已经遭受到氧化损伤。剑尾鱼活体的实验表明,PFOS能够诱导肝脏氧化应激反应,氧化损伤是PFOS致毒的主要途径之一。     

意大利蝗和西伯利亚蝗高温耐受能力及酶活性比较研究

【目的】阐明意大利蝗Calliptamus italicus和西伯利亚蝗Gomphocerus sibiricus高温耐受能力及酶活性差异。【方法】以3℃为间隔,将意大利蝗和西伯利亚蝗成虫分别在27~48℃、24~42℃下处理4 h后测定死亡率及POD、SOD和CAT活性值。【结果】27~42℃处理下,意大利蝗存活率显著大于西伯利亚蝗(P<0.05)。雌性意大利蝗的LT50、LT90分别为48.76℃和50.67℃,雄虫则分别为47.90℃和50.53℃;雌性西伯利亚蝗的LT50、LT90分别为39.21℃和42.10℃,雄虫则分别为36.11℃和41.43℃。随着温度升高,雄性意大利蝗和雌、雄西伯利亚蝗体内POD、SOD、CAT活性先升高后降低,雌性意大利蝗体内POD活性则先降低后升高。27~42℃范围内,西伯利亚蝗体内POD和SOD活性值增幅较大,分别达到54.69%、23.54%;意大利蝗体内则以CAT活性值增幅最大,为27.02%。【结论】两种蝗虫耐高温能力存在差异,意大利蝗具有更强的耐热能力。     

麻醉对大鼠应激反应的影响

用40、42、44℃分别处理清醒状态和麻醉状态大鼠30min,于正常饲养条件下恢复24h后,检测其肝脏热休克蛋白70（HSP70）的表达差异及酸性和中性蛋白水解酶活性变化。结果表明,当热休克温度为40-44℃时,清醒状态大鼠肝脏的HSP70合成能力逐渐下降,而麻醉大鼠肝脏HSP70合成能力逐渐增加,在42℃热休克条件下,麻醉状态大鼠肝脏的酸性蛋白水解酶活性最强,在44℃热休克条件下,清醒状态大鼠肝脏的酸性蛋白水解酶活性最强,在40-44℃热休克条件下,麻醉状态和清醒状态大鼠肝脏的45kD中性蛋白水解酶活性与对照相似,但40kD的中性蛋白水解酶活性随热休克温度升高而降低,另外,40℃热休克诱导麻醉状态大鼠肝脏出现一个高活性的35kD中性蛋白水解酶,根据实验结果推测,麻醉状态大鼠肝脏的热耐受性大于清醒大鼠,大鼠的热休克反应受整体水平和细胞水平的双重调控,并涉及除HSP70合成以外的其他生化活动。     

Effects of subacute treatment of ethylene glycol on serum marker enzymes and erythrocyte and tissue antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation in rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of ethylene glycol (EG) on serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation concentration (malondialdehyde=MDA) in various tissues of rats exposed to ethylene glycol. EG (1.25% or 2.5%) in drinking water was administered orally to rats (Sprague-Dawley albino) ad libitum for 21 days continuously. EG treatments caused different effects on the serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense system and MDA content in various tissues of the treatment groups as compared with the controls. EG also caused a significant increase in the serum marker enzyme activities with 2.5% dosage whereas, no changes were not observed with 1.25% dosage of EG treatment. Lipid peroxidation significantly increased in all the tissues except for in the heart and stomach of rats treated with both dosages of EG. Also, the antioxidative systems were also seriously affected by EG. For example, SOD significantly decreased in the liver treated with both dosages whereas, SOD activity in the erythrocytes, kidney, heart and stomach were significantly increased and not changed in the brain with two dosages of EG. Also, while CAT activity significantly decreased in the erythrocytes, liver and kidney, the activity in the stomach significantly increased, but did not change in the brain and heart with two doses of EG. GR activity significantly decreased in the erythrocytes treated with both dosages of EG whereas GR was not affected in other tissues by EG treatment. GST activity significantly elevated in the heart and brain but did not change in the other tissues of rats treated with both dosages of EG. Meanwhile, GSH depletion in the erythrocytes of rats treated with 2.5% dosage of EG was found to be significant whereas, the level of GSH in the brain was significantly increased treated with both the dosages of EG. The observations presented led us to conclude that the administration of subacute EG promotes lipid peroxidatin content, elevates tissue damage serum marker enzymes and changes in the antioxidative systems in rats. These data, along with the determined changes suggest that EG produced substantial systemic organ toxicity in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, heart kidney and stomach during the period of a 21-day subacute exposure.     

The potential antioxidant effect of raloxifene treatment: a study on heart, liver and brain cortex of ovariectomized female rats

The antioxidant activity of some compounds buffer the free radicals generated either endogenously or exogenously, thus decreasing the potential damage mediated by oxidation. Recent studies documented that raloxifene has antioxidant properties in vitro. However, there are limited animal studies available to show raloxifene's antioxidant properties. We aimed to investigate the effects of raloxifene on antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GPX, TrxR and the levels of GSH and MDA in heart, liver and brain cortex of ovariectomized female rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300-350 g (n=24) were divided into three groups: (I) Eight non-ovariectomized rats were used as naive controls without any treatment (non-ovariectomized group, n=8). Five weeks after ovariectomy, (II) Ovariectomized placebo group (n=8) was given physiological saline, and (III) Raloxifene group (n=8) was given raloxifene 1 mg/kg sc. daily for 12 days. Ovariectomy induced significant increases on SOD, GPX, CAT activity and MDA levels in brain, heart and liver tissues compared to non-ovariectomized rats ( p<0.05). Raloxifene treatment led to decreased levels of SOD activity in heart, GPX activity in brain and CAT activity in liver tissue when compared to ovariectomized group ( p<0.05) but there was no change in activity of TrxR in all groups. The levels of MDA in brain, heart and liver tissues increased in ovariectomized group when compared to non-ovariectomized rats ( p<0.05). Raloxifene had a significant attenuating effect on the levels of MDA in brain and heart tissues. Our results also indicate that the levels of GSH in brain, heart and liver tissue decreased when compared to non-ovariectomized rats. Raloxifene treatment was observed to significantly increase the levels of GSH in brain and heart tissues ( p<0.05). However, there were insignificant differences for the GSH levels in liver tissues of ovariectomized placebo or raloxifene groups. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that raloxifene may be more effective against oxidative stress in heart and brain than in liver tissue.     

Heat shock-mediated APX gene expression and protection against chilling injury in rice seedlings

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings, when kept at 42 degrees C for 24 h before being kept at 5 degrees C for 7 d, did not develop chilling injury. Chilling resistance was enhanced in parallel with the period of heat-treatment. The level of APX activity was higher in heated seedlings whereas CAT activity was decreased by heat stress. There was no significant difference in SOD activity between heated and unheated seedlings. The elevated activity of APX was sustained after 7 d of chilling. The cytosolic APX gene expression in response to high and low temperature was analysed with an APXa gene probe. APXa mRNA levels increased within 1 h after seedlings were exposed to 42 degrees C. Elevated APXa mRNA levels could also be detected after 24 h of heating. The APXa mRNA level in preheated seedlings was still higher than unheated seedlings under cold stress. The promoter of the APXa gene was cloned from rice genomic DNA by TAIL-PCR, and characterized by DNA sequencing. The promoter had a minimal heat shock factor-binding motif, 5'-nGAAnnTTCn-3', located in the 81 bp upstream of the TATA box. Heat shock induction of the APXa gene could be a possible cause of reduced chilling injury in rice seedlings.     

Effect of salicylic and abscisic acid administered through detached tillers on antioxidant system in developing wheat grains under heat stress

The mechanism imparting thermotolerance by salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) is still unresolved using either spraying technique or in vitro conditions. Alternative way of studying these effects under near in vivo conditions is through the use of liquid culturing technique. Effects of SA and ABA (100 μM) on antioxidative enzymes, antioxidants and lipid peroxidation were studied in detached tillers of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars PBW 343, C 306 (heat tolerant) and WH 542 (heat susceptible) cultured in a liquid medium. Ears were subjected to heat shock treatment (45°C for 2 h) and then maintained at 25°C for 5 days. Heat shock treatment resulted in increased peroxidase (POD) activity, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were reduced compared to control. The decrease in CAT activity was more significant in susceptible cultivar WH 542. Concomitantly, content of α-tocopherol and lipid peroxides increased in heat-treated wheat ears, whereas contents of total ascorbate level were reduced. Following treatment with SA and ABA, activities of all three antioxidative enzymes increased in correspondence with an increase in ascorbate and α-tocopherol content. Apparently, lipid peroxide content was reduced by SA in heat tolerant cultivars (PBW 343 and C 306) whereas in susceptible cultivar it was decreased by ABA. The up-regulation of the antioxidant system by SA and ABA possibly contributes to better tolerance against heat shock-induced oxidative damage in wheat grains.     

Effect of fasting and refeeding on the activities of monoamine oxidase and antioxidant enzymes in rat hypothalamus and brown adipose tissue

Fasting for 48 h and the same period of recovery induced by 48 h refeeding increased rat hypothalamic monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. However, in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT), only refeeding induced a significant elevation of the enzyme activity. As far as hypothalamic antioxidative enzymes are concerned, the copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) activity was decreased in refed rats only. However, in the IBAT both food deprivation and refeeding induced a significant decrease in catalase (CAT) activity. Under the influence of fasting the adrenal glands were strongly activated as judged by the increased dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity and decreased cholesterol concentration. Refeeding brought both parameters to control levels indicating full recovery of these glands. As expected, fasting for 48 h induced a significant decrease in serum glucose but an increase in FFA concentrations. Thus, it can be concluded that both fasting and refeeding resulted in increased activation of hypothalamic MAO, whereas CuZnSOD activity was decreased only by refeeding. However, in the IBAT only refeeding increased MAO activity whereas both fasting and refeeding decreased that of CAT. In conclusion, it may be assumed that food deprivation for 48 h and the same duration of refeeding influenced MAO and antioxidative enzymes activities in the rat hypothalamus and IBAT in a tissue specific manner.     

Tissue-Specific Induction of Hsp90 mRNA and Plasma Cortisol Response in Chinook Salmon following Heat Shock, Seawater Challenge, and Handling Challenge

In studying the whole-body response of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to various stressors, we found that 5-hour exposure to elevated temperature (mean 21.6°C; + 10.6°C over ambient) induced a marked increase in Hsp90 messenger RNA accumulation in heart, brain, gill, muscle, liver, kidney, and tail fin tissues. The most vital tissues (heart, brain, gill, and muscle) showed the greatest Hsp90-mRNA response, with heart tissue increasing approximately 35-fold. Heat shock induced no increase in plasma cortisol. In contrast, a standard handling challenge induced high plasma cortisol levels, but no elevation in Hsp90 mRNA in any tissue, clearly separating the physiological and cellular stress responses. We saw no increase either in tissue Hsp90 mRNA levels or in plasma cortisol concentrations after exposing the fish to seawater overnight. Received October 1, 1999; accepted January 21, 2000     

Changes of Endogenous Antioxidant Enzymes during Ischemic Tolerance Acquisition

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in brain ischemic tolerance induced by ischemic preconditioning. Forebrain cerebral ischemia was induced in rat by four vessel occlusion. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD and CAT were measured in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex after 5 min of ischemia used as a preconditioning and subsequent reperfusion, by spectrophotometric methods. In all ischemia-reperfusion groups (5 h, 1 and 2 days of reperfusion), CuZn-SOD activities were found to be increased if compared to the sham operated controls. The increase was significant (P < 0.05) in all reperfusion groups, particularly after 5 h of reperfusion (3 times) in all studied brain regions; the largest increase was detected in the more vulnerable hippocampus and striatum. Very similar changes were found in Mn-SOD activity. The activity of CAT was increased too, but reached the peak of postischemic activity 24 h after ischemia. Our attempt to understand the mechanisms of increased SOD and CAT activities by application of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide showed that this increase was caused by de novo synthesis of enzymes during first hours after ischemia. Our findings indicate that both major endogenous antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT are synthesized as soon as 5 h after ischemia. In spite of significant upregulation of these enzymes a large number of neurons in selectively vulnerable CA1 region of hippocampus undergoes to neurodegeneration within 7 days after ischemia.     

Effect of cigarette smoke on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in albino rat

Effect of cigarette smoke on lipid peroxidation (LPX) and antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in various organs like brain, heart, lung, liver and kidney of the albino rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min/day for a period of 30 days were assayed. It was observed that the lipid peroxide levels in liver, lung and kidney were enhanced in case of animals exposed to cigarette smoke, whereas brain and heart did not show any change as compared to control animals. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes was also elevated in liver, lung and kidney of the test animals whereas, brain and heart did not show any change in the activities of all of these antioxidant enzymes except glutathione-s-transferase which was increased in brain also. The level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was lowered in liver, lung and kidney of the tested animals when compared with the control animals but there was no significant change in brain and heart. The results of our study suggest that cigarette smoke induces lipid peroxidation in liver, lung and kidney, and the antioxidant enzymes levels were enhanced in order to protect these tissues against the deleterious effect of the oxygen derived free radicals. The depletion of reduced glutathione in these organs could be due to it's utilization by the tissues to mop off the free radicals.     

Influence of subacute treatment of some plant growth regulators on serum marker enzymes and erythrocyte and tissue antioxidant defense and lipid peroxidation in rats

This study aims to investigate the effects of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) on serum marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), antioxidant defense systems (reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT)), and lipid peroxidation content (malondialdehyde = MDA) in various tissues of rats. 50 and 100 ppm of PGRs as drinking water were administered orally to rats (Sprague-Dawley albino) ad libitum for 25 days continuously. The PGRs treatment caused different effects on the serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems, and the MDA content in experimented rats compared to controls. Results showed that TIBA caused a significant decrease in serum AST activity with both the dosage whereas serum CPK was significantly increased with 100 ppm dosage of TIBA. Meanwhile, serum AST, CPK, and LDH activities were significantly increased with both dosage of NAA and 2,4-D. The lipid peroxidation end-product MDA significantly increased in the all tissues treated with both dosages of PGRs without any change in the brain and erythrocyte of rats treated with both the dosages of 2,4-D. The GSH depletion in the kidney and brain tissues of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs was found to be significant. Furthermore, the GSH depletion in the erythrocyte of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs except 50 ppm dosage of 2,4-D was significant too. Also, the GSH level in the liver was significantly depleted with 50 ppm of 2,4-D and NAA, whereas the GSH depletion in the same tissue did not significantly change with the treatment. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was also seriously affected by PGRs; SOD significantly decreased in the liver, heart, kidney, and brain of rats treated with both dosages of NAA, whereas the SOD activity in the erythrocytes, liver, and heart was either significantly decreased or not changed with two doses of 2,4-D and TIBA. Although the CAT activity significantly increased in the erythrocyte and brain of rats treated with both doses of PGRs, it was not changed in the liver, heart, and kidney. Meanwhile, the ancillary enzyme GR activity significantly increased in the brain, heart, and liver but decreased in the erythrocyte and kidney of rats treated with both doses of PGRs. The drug-metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly increased in the heart and kidney but decreased in the brain and erythrocytes of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs. As a conclusion, the results indicate that PGRs might affect antioxidant potential enzymes, the activity of hepatic damage enzymes, and lipid peroxidation dose independently. Also, the rats resisted to oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism but the antioxidant mechanism could not prevent the increases in lipid peroxidation in rat's tissues. These data, along with the determined changes, suggest that PGRs produced substantial systemic organ toxicity in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, heart, and kidney during the period of a 25-day subacute exposure.     

Response of antioxidant enzymes in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sauva</Emphasis> L. cv. Dongjin) under mercury stress

We studied the effects of different concentrations of mercury (0.0 to 100 μM) on growth and photosynthetic efficiency in rice plants treated for 21 d. In addition, we investigated how this metal affected the malondialdehyde (MDA) content as well as the activity of five antioxidant enzymes — superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Photosynthetic efficiency (Fμ/F_m) and seedling growth decreased as the concentration of Hg was increased in the growth media. Plants also responded to Hg-induced oxidative stress by changing the levels of their antioxidative enzymes. Enhanced lipid peroxidation was observed in both leaves and roots that had been exposed to oxidative stress, with leaves showing higher enzymatic activity. Both SOD and APX activities increased in treatments with up to 50 μM Hg, then decreased at higher concentrations. In the leaves, both CAT and POD activities increased gradually, with CAT levels decreasing at higher concentrations. In the roots, however, CAT activity remained unchanged while that of POD increased a bit more than did the control for concentrations of up to 10 μM Hg. At higher Hg levels, both CAT and POD activities decreased. GR activity increased in leaves exposed to no more than 0.25 μM Hg, then decreased gradually. In contrast, its activity was greatly inhibited in the roots. Based on these results, we suggest that when rice plants are exposed to different concentrations of mercury, their antioxidative enzymes become involved in defense mechanisms against the free radicals that are induced by this stress.