Sodium azide treatment decreases striatal and cortical concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in rats

Sodium azide (20 mg/kgsc), given for a maximum of 3 days to rats, significa ntly decreased the alpha -tocopherol concentrations in the cortex on day 2 and in the striatum on day 3. In these brain regions the oxidized glutathio ne values showed 30 to 36% (statistically not significant) elevation on day 3. Reduced glutathione levels were not altered. The observations suggest a n important role for ct-tocopherol in the defense against azide induced fre e radicals probably including NO and lipid peroxide radicals.