ISSN:
1573-6903
Keywords:
Oxygen toxicity
;
glutathione
;
nervous tissue
;
free radicals
;
4-hydroxy-nonenal
;
sciatic nerve
;
brain
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Nervous tissue, central and peripheral, is, as any other, subject to variations in oxygen tension, and to the attack of different xenobiotics; these situations may promote the generation of activated oxygen species of free radical character. Results are presented showing that the content of total glutathione (GSH) in brain is 10-fold that found in the sciatic nerve of the rat (2620 vs. 261 nmol/g wet weight, respectively). The existence of a relatively high superoxide dismutase activity in peripheral nervous tissue, when compared with brain or liver, in combination with the DT-diaphorase activity detected in the sciatic nerve might represent an effective defense mechanism against quinone toxicity, as is also discussed. Nervous tissue, both central and peripheral lack Se-independent GSH peroxidase activity. Finally, the activities of other glutathione-related enzymes studied in the sciatic nerve are very low, when compared with the central nervous tissue, thus suggesting a higher susceptibility of peripheral tissue to oxidative stress damage, since GSH concentration and/or any GSH-related enzymatic activities, e.g. GSH peroxidase or glutathione disulfide reductase, might become limiting.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00965704
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