INFLUENCE OF METHYLGLYOXAL ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND OXIDATIVE DAMAGE

The effect of different doses of methylglyoxal (50-400 mg/kg body wt.) were examined using enzymes involved in the antioxidant function, glu tathione (GSH) content and lipid peroxidation in the liver and spleen of Swiss albino mice (7-8 week old) after 6, 12 and 24 h. Significant changes were observed predominantly in the liver. The specific activit ies of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), ca talase, glyoxalase I (gly I) and glyoxalase II (gly II) were found to decrease in the liver. The mode and magnitude of change in the specifi c activities was seen to depend on the dose of methylglyoxal and the t ime after its administration. Methylglyoxal also decreased the GSH con tent and enhanced the lipid peroxidation in the liver. These findings are suggestive of the adverse effect of methylglyoxal on the antioxida nt defence system. It is likely that methylglyoxal undergoes a redox c ycle and generates the free radicals which in turn lower the antioxida nt status in animals. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation provi de support for the involvement of free radical processes in the detrim ental effects of methylglyoxal. The response of DT-diaphorase (DTD) se ems to be adaptive. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.