The Generation of Superoxide Radicals and Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Influenza A Virus-Induced Maxiliary Sinusitis of Rabbits / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oxygen free radicals are generated markedly in various infected condition, and these molecular species were identified as potent pathologic agents. The activities of various antioxidant enzymes have close relationships to genereration and metabolism of oxygen free radicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the generation of superoxide radicals and activities of antioxidant enzymes and to compare histopathological changes in influenza A virus-induced maxillary sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental viral infection was induced in New Zealand white rabbits by inoculating 0.3 ml of influenza A virus. Maxillary sinus mucosa were examined with a light microscope and the generation of superoxide radicals and activity of antioxidant enzymes were measured at the intervals up to 28 days after inoculation. RESULTS: The mucosal changes deteriorated and reached maximum at seven days after inoculation. The first day of inoculation, mononuclear phagocytes and neutrophils began to be found in subepithelial layer. We also found that capacity of oxygen generation increased about one and a half fold compared with the non-infected control group. The activity of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, which are specific scavengers of oxygen radicals, peaked at three, five, and seven days after viral inoculation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that oxygen free radicals play an improtant role in the histopathologic damage in the early stage of influenza A viral infection, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes are enhanced by the generation of superoxide radicals. It is also indicated that antioxidant enzymes may have a therapeutic potential for this viral infection and other conditions associated with free radicals.