Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in beta-thalassaemia (major and minor).
The 'antioxidant' enzymes superoxide dismutase (SD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were found greatly elevated in red blood cells of subjects with beta-thalassaemia minor and similar to normal values in red blood cells of subjects with beta-thalassaemia major. These findings allows us to speculate that red cells in beta-thalassaemia minor react to the increased oxidant threat with augmented antioxidant enzyme activities. The normal levels of antioxidant enzymes in beta-thalassaemia major seem to be due to the presence of normal red cells owing to multiple transfusions.
D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000097:blood*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*
D010544:Peroxidases; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase