ISSN:
1434-4726
Keywords:
Superoxide dismutase
;
Otitis media Inflammation
;
Immunohistochemistry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a metalloprotein that catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion into O2 − and H202, and therefore functions to maintain a low intracellular concentration of an otherwise toxic metabolite of oxygen. SOD protects living tissue from the destructive effects of free radicals. Increasing evidence implicates free radicals, including the superoxide radical (O2 −), in the pathogenesis of disease, including otitis media. In an effort to elucidate the role free radicals play in the pathogenesis of otitis media, SOD was localized immunocytochemically to determine its cellular distribution in specimens of guinea pig middle ear. In normal ears, SOD was found concentrated in the epithelium of the middle ear mucosa. Low quantities were characteristic of connective tissue, bone, and cartilage. In streptococcus-infected ears, SOD localized similarly, concentrating in the epithelium. The infected ears had extensive submucosal edema which stained poorly and appeared to have less SOD than did normal ears. This was confirmed by an assay using laser densitometry of Western blots to quantify the amount of SOD in the mucosa of normal versus infected middle ears. This demonstrated a value of SOD in normal mucosa of 1.77 ± 0.48 μg/mg of protein compared with 1.02 ± 0.28 μg/mg in the infected mucosa. The two groups were significantly different at P 〈 0.05. These findings are discussed, and suggestions for future experimentation addressed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00178103
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