PROLIDASE-I ACTIVITY IN LIVER-TISSUE - EFFECTS OF ETHANOL AND SELENIUM

Selenium is an important factor as a component of glutathione peroxida se. In circumstances like chronic alcoholism, involving increased acti vity of free radicals, selenium deficiency can augment tissue degenera tion by enhancing lipid peroxidation. In the present study, selenium w as given to rats fed an alcohol-rich diet and the extent of liver inju ry was assessed by measuring prolidase I activity as well as hydroxypr oline and free proline levels in the liver tissue after five months of ethanol ingestion. These findings were compared with the levels in co ntrols and in the rats receiving sodium selenite in addition to ethano l. Hepatic prolidase activity increased in both groups receiving alcoh ol. There was no change in tissue hydroxyproline levels. We conclude t hat tissue (or serum) prolidase I activity may be useful for the early detection of alcoholic liver injury or other forms of oxidant-induced liver damage.