THE EFFECT OF ACUTE LIGATION OF THE RABBIT APPENDIX ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES

The role of oxygen free radicals (OFR) in the pathogenesis of many dis eases is known. This experimental study was planned to investigate the role of OFR in acute abdominal inflammation. In this study, 20 adult rabbits were used. They were divided into two groups with 10 rabbits i n each. In the study group, blood samples were taken from peripheral a nd mesenteric veins and then their appendices were ligated; after 24 h , blood samples were taken again and the appendices were resected, The same procedures were carried out in the control group, except for lig ation of the appendices. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathion e peroxidase (GPX) activities were measured in all blood samples. The activities of catalase and GPX were increased postoperatively in perip heral and mesenteric blood samples in the experimental group, The cata lase activity was increased in the control group. These results sugges t that OFR increased sufficiently to activate the enzymatic defense sy stem in acute appendicitis.