SEX-DIFFERENCES IN NITRITE NITRATE LEVELS AND ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE IN RAT-BRAIN/

THIS Study assessed sex differences in stable metabolites of nitric ox ide and major enzymes involved in antioxidant defense in various regio ns of rat brain. Nitrite/nitrate nitrate levels and activities of supe roxide dismutase and catalase were determined in cortex, hippocampus, corpus striatum, midbrain and cerebellum of adult male and female Spra gue-Dawley rats. Nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly higher in t he cortex and the hippocampus of male than female rats, while catalase activity was higher in the cortex of females than in males. These sex differences may have significant effects on brain function in health and disease.