TIN ENHANCES THE ACTIVITY OF SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE IN-VITRO ABSTRACT

Tin is a trace element found in increased quantities in uremic tissues and body fluids. To determine if tin salts were able to decrease the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in vitro, stannous chloride was preincubated with SOD and the activity of SOD compared to SOD free of tin in a system containing the autoxidizing, artificial catecholamine , 6 hydroxydopamine. The concentrations of tin used were 1.67 and 3.33 mu g/ml of reaction mixture. Tin enhanced SOD activity. It also, for a period not exceeding 2 minutes, reduced the spontaneous oxidation of 6 hydroxydopamine. Thus, tin increases the removal of superoxide radi cals from the SOD-6 hydroxydopamine system.