SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE ACTIVITY AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN THE LIVER OF GUINEA-PIG INFECTED WITH LEPTOSPIRA-INTERROGANS

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the degree of lipid peroxidati on were studied over a two week period in guinea pigs infected with Le ptospira interrogans derived from wild mice. The total SOD activity in infected host liver increased by four-fold two days after infection; this was followed by a 20% decrease resulting in levels comparable to normal, uninfected liver. During the period of decreasing SOD activity after day two, the levels of TEA-reactive material (TEARS) are increa sed by three-fold in infected guinea pig, liver, compared to uninfecte d liver. The results indicate that SOD attenuates intracellular supero xide-mediated toxic effects in guinea pigs infected with L. interrogan s. In addition, electron microscopy structure demonstrates correlated pathogenic shrinkage of mitochondrial and Kupffer cell structures.