EFFECTS OF CHRONIC CAFFEINE FEEDING ON THE ACTIVITIES OF OXYGEN-FREE RADICAL DEFENSE ENZYMES IN THE GROWING RAT-HEART AND LIVER

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship bet ween concentration of Zn, Cu and Fe, and the catalase, glutathione per oxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in the heart and liver of newborn rats whose dams were fed a diet supplemented with caffeine. He art Zn levels of the 22- and 30-day-old rats of the caffeine group sho wed a decrease, whereas liver Zn levels showed an increase compared to the control. Cu levels in the liver at day 22 in the caffeine group w ere less than in the control. Cu- and Zn-containing superoxide dismuta se activities showed an increase in the hearts of the caffeine group c ompared to the control. The activity of catalase and glutathion peroxi dase showed no difference in the heart and liver between the groups. T he present study suggests the possible involvement of superoxide dismu tase enzyme in the impairment of heart formation as a result of chroni c caffeine intake in the early growing period.