title: Alteration of superoxide dismutase activity in the anterior horn in motoneuron disease patients.
abstract: Studies on anterior horn dissected from MND patients have demonstrated that MnSOD activity is increased when expressed as a percentage of total SOD activity when compared to controls. Total SOD activity (mean +/- SD) in controls = 414 +/- 105 U mg-1 tissue and in MND patients = 373 +/- 115 U mg-1 tissue, whereas CuZnSOD activity was higher in controls (290 +/- 91 U mg-1 tissue) than in MND patients (197 +/- 81 U mg-1 tissue). The reduction in CuZnSOD was compensated for by a concomitant elevation of MnSOD activity (control = 123 +/- 40.5 U mg-1 tissue, MND patients = 175 +/- 47 U mg-1 tissue). These data not only show an important deficit in anterior horn cell body protection against free radical-mediated cell damage, but are also are the first measurements of SOD isoenzymes in anterior horn neurones.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Toxicology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Fitzmaurice
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000201:enzymology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000201:enzymology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase