LIVER AND SERUM ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AFTER METHANOL INTOXICATION IN RATS

Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxi dase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) and concentration of ascorbate, or-tocopherol, non-protein and protein-bound sulfhydryl com pounds and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-rs) were measu red in liver and serum of rats 6, 12 and 24 h and 2, 5 and 7 days afte r intoxication with 1.5 g or 3.0 g methanol/kg b.w. Liver GSH-Px and G SSG-R activities and SH groups and ascorbate content were significantl y diminished at 6 and 24 h, while TBA rs were increased. Serum SOD, GS H-Px and GSSG-R activities and SH-groups concentration were reduced wh ile TBA-rs were elevated. The changes were more intensive after applic ation of the higher dose of methanol. It is concluded that methanol im pairs the liver and blood serum antioxidant mechanisms in rats.