The effects of gentamicin and vitamin E on enzymatic antioxidant defence in guinea-pig lung.
OBJECTIVE
To study the possible effects of gentamicin on the enzymic free-radical defence system in the lung.


METHODS
Activities of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) enzymes were studied in lung tissues from gentamicin-treated guinea-pigs compared to controls.


RESULTS
Levels of those enzymes were higher in the gentamicin group except for xanthine oxidase (XO) activity. Vitamin E given concomitantly with gentamicin caused significant decreases in CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD and GSH-Px activities but an increase in CAT activity in the lung tissue. Only vitamin treatment caused significant decreases in the activities of CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD and GSH-Px enzymes and an increase in CAT activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that lung tissue is able to respond quickly and effectively against the adverse effects of some oxidant substances by inducing and/or activating the enzymatic free-radical defence system.
Oztürk
H S
HS
Ankara University Medical Faculty, Biochemistry Department, Ankara.
Kavutcu
M
M
Canbolat
O
O
Kaçmaz
M
M
Yaşa
M H
MH
Durak
I
I
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000633:toxicity*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005609:Free Radicals; D005839:Gentamicins; D014810:Vitamin E; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase