Possible effect of air pollutants (Mexico City) on superoxide dismutase activity and serum lipoperoxides in the human adult

The action of air pollutants, through their constituents, (O3, NO2, tobacco smoke) are capable of causing damage due to their lipoperoxidative properties or, indirectly, by inducing production of free radicals. As a consequence of photochemical processes, the ozone levels in the atmosphere of Mexico City are generally higher (mean of 0.325 ppm; period between 1987 - 1992) and may be harmful to health. Sixty two volunteers (medical doctors), aged 27-32 years, were divided into three groups. Group A was composed of those persons /17) who had never lived in Mexico City; a second group (B) (21) had recently arrived in Mexico City (1-8 days); and a third group (C) (24) who had permanently resided in mexico City. Serum was obtained from fresh whole blood. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive materials were higher in group B while chromolipids and the serum inhibitory capacity (for lipoperoxidation) was higher in group C. The acute exposure to pollutants in group B apparently may have induced SOD as an antioxidant defense and was responsible for the increased level of TBA reactive material. In group C, the significant finding is better antioxidative defenses and slightly higher chromolipids

Role of lipid peroxides, glutathione and antiperoxidative enzymes in alcohol and drug toxicity.

Ethanol administration to rats for 30 days and 90 days followed by paracetamol administration resulted in liver injury indicated by the significant increase in the serum GOT and GPT levels. The ethanol treatment to rats and the administration of paracetamol to the normal and alcoholic rats also caused a significant increase in the activity of serum acid and alkaline phosphatase. The hepatotoxicity of ethanol and paracetamol were indicated by the histological alterations in this study. The content of lipid peroxidation products-malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were increased in the liver, heart, kidney and brain of the acute and chronic ethanol treated and paracetamol treated rats. The activities of the antiperoxidative enzymes-SOD and catalase decreased in the ethanol and paracetamol treated rats. The changes in the activities of the antiperoxidative enzymes in alcoholism and drug toxicity suggests increased peroxidation, increased synthesis of ecosonoids and increased damage to the tissues. The glutathione levels were decreased in the rats administered ethanol for 30 days, while the glutathione levels increased in the 90 days ethanol treated rats. The paracetamol treatment caused a decrease in the glutathione levels in the normals and the ethanol treated rats.