Markers of antioxidative capacity [superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase] in female rats: correlation with cigarette smoke air pollution and estrogen deficiency

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoke exposure and its cessation on the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and glutathione reductase [GR] of intact and ovariectomized rats as biochemical markers of antioxidant status. Forty female adult rats were divided into four equal groups. Activities of SOD, CAT and GPx increased significantly in intact rats exposed to cigarette smoke and ovariectomized unexposed rats, while GR activity decreased significantly compared with intact unexposed ones. Activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GR decreased significantly in cigarette smoke exposed ovariectomized rats compared with ovariectomized unexposed ones. Adaptation took place in the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GR of intact rats on smoking cessation, while it occurred only in GPx activity of the ovariectomized ones