Modulation of hepatic and intestinal Glutathione S-transferases and other antioxidant enzymes by dietary lipids in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Antioxidant enzymes in liver and small intestine were investigated using co ntrol and streptozotocin diabetic rats fed diets with 5% olive, sunflower o r fish oil for five weeks. In liver, Glutathione Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase decreased and in intestine Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) increa sed by diabetes. In isolated jejunum and ileum, this increase in GST activi ty was due to an increase in GST-alpha and -mu isoenzymes in jejunum and GS T-alpha, mu and -pi in ileum. Since GST plays an important role in protecti ng tissues from oxidative damage, our results highlight the role of the int estine against free radicals in physiological or pathological situations. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.