EFFECT OF RADON EXPOSURE ON SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE (SOD) ACTIVITY IN RATS

Effect of radon exposure on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SO D) in blood, kidney, liver and spleen of male Wistar rats were investi gated. Radon exposure was carried out in a newly developed chamber wit h Ra-226 as the radon source. SOD activity, measured by the spin trap method using an electron spin resonance spectrometer, increased greatl y in liver and kidney after 4 hour exposure whereas it decreased signi ficantly after 16 hour exposure. Despite approximately same total dose s by the radon exposure, the stimulated SOD activity after 4 hour expo sure was not observed after 16 hour exposure in kidney, liver and sple en except blood, suggesting that the stimulating effect could last for a short period.