ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF ERYTHROCYTES FROM SHEEP CHRONICALLY POISONED BY COPPER

Some indicative factors of antioxidant capacity in erythrocytes from c hronic copper poisoning in sheep, were evaluated. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, reduc ed glutathione (GSH) and response to oxidative shock have been determi ned in animals with high and normal copper status. High copper status might have limited the SOD activity and induced lowest levels of GSH. This was associated with an increase of TBA reactivity in lipid peroxi dation induced by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, GSH-Px activity did not differ significantly from that of control sheep. Our results demon strate a direct correlation between the level of serum copper and a de crease in the evaluated antioxidant mechanisms. It is reasonable to po stulate that non-specifically bound copper could be involved in cellul ar injury.