DIMINISHED ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE POTENTIAL OF LIVER, ERYTHROCYTES AND SERUM FROM RATS WITH SUBACUTE METHANOL INTOXICATION

The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase glutathione per oxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) and the concentrat ion of ascorbate. alpha-tocopherol, non-protein and protein-bound sulf hydryl compounds, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-rs) in liver, erythrocytes and serum of rats dosed with 1.5 g methanol/kg bw were measured after 6, 12 and -24 h and 2, 5 and 7 d. Hematologica l erythrocyte parameters were also determined. Liver GSH-Px and GSSG-R activities, SH-groups and ascorbate were significantly diminished at 12 and 24 h, while TBA-rs increased. Blood SOD, GSH-Px and GSSG-R acti vities and sulfhydryl-group concentrations were reduced while TBA-rs w ere elevated. Methanol given to rats impaired liver, erythrocyte and b lood serum antioxidant mechanisms.