Effects of chronic cold exposure on the activities of cytochrome c oxidase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in rat tissues (Rattus norvegicus)

The effects of cold acclimation on the activity levels of cytochrome c oxidase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in various tissues of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. One group was individually housed at 4 +/- 1 degrees C and the other at 24 +/- 1 degrees C for 6 months. Chronic cold acclimation resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) increased cytochrome c oxidase activity levels in liver, kidney, heart, interscapular brown adipose tissue and gastrocnemius muscle. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in liver, interscapular brown adipose tissue, lung and muscle, whereas glutathione reductase was only significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in interscapular brown adipose tissue as a result of chronic cold exposure. The results obtained are possibly indicative of a positive compensatory response against the increased production of oxygen derived radicals as a result of chronic cold exposure.