Protection factors against free radical-induced ceroidogenesis

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology; (USA)

OSTI ID:6065501

Aloj Totaro, E; Lucadamo, L; Pisanti, F A ^[1]

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1. Stazione Zoologica, Napoli (Italy)

The most important products of the combustion process are SO2, NOx, CO2 and the heavy metals. When these substances come into contact with the biotic components of the ecosystems they produce an oxidative damage by means of a free radical mechanism. One of the significant natural sources of these oxides and metals are the volcanic emissions that contribute, either locally or more diffusely, to enrich the atmosphere with these substances. The area of Campi Flegrei (Naples, Italy) is an experimental model fit for studying the contemporary effect of the aforesaid oxidative agents, because it is characterized by a continuous fumarolic activity, particularly in the area of the widest crater (Solfatara). We have made so two experiments utilizing rats and earthworms (Octolasium complanatum) to evaluate the following aspects in phylogenetically very different organisms: 1. the combined effect of the atmospheric pollutants, 2. the effect of the heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Mn), 3. the protection action played by reduced glutathione in rats. The reduced glutathione being either a substrate of the glutathione proxidase or an oxyradicals scavenger, is one of the main protection agents against the above stress. Because many papers suggest that the mentioned atmospheric pollutants damage both animal and vegetable organisms by their oxidative properties, the reduced glutathione seems to be able to counteract efficaciously the damaging activity studied in terms of age pigments production.

• OSTI ID: 6065501
• Journal Information: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology; (USA), Vol. 266; ISSN 0065-2598
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON DIOXIDE
TOXICITY
COPPER
GLUTATHIONE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MANGANESE
NICKEL
NITROGEN OXIDES
SULFUR DIOXIDE
AIR POLLUTION
ANNELIDS
ITALY
RADICALS
RATS
ANIMALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DRUGS
ELEMENTS
EUROPE
INVERTEBRATES
MAMMALS
METALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PEPTIDES
POLLUTION
POLYPEPTIDES
PROTEINS
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
RODENTS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN EUROPE
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology