ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEMS AND ERYTHROCYTE LIFE-SPAN IN MAMMALS

1. Erythrocyte antioxidant systems-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalas e (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), g lutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR)-were dis cussed in relation to fife-spans in some mammalian species. 2. The ery throcyte life-span of different mammals was found to be correlated wit h the levels of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH. 3. Data reviewed indicates that t he erythrocyte life-span of each species is governed by both the oxyge n radical formation and the efficiency of intrinsic antioxidant system s.