Alteration of superoxide dismutase activity in the anterior horn in motoneuron disease patients

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences 1995-05, Vol.129 (MAI), p.96-98
• Main Authors: Fitzmaurice, P.S., Shaw, I.C., Mitchell, J.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell damage; Cell protection; Cytochrome P 450; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System - metabolism; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Free radicals; Glutathione peroxidase; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; Humans; Medical sciences; Microsomes - enzymology; Motor Neuron Disease - enzymology; Motor neurone disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis); Neurology; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Spinal Cord - enzymology; Superoxide; Superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-510X(95)00075-D

Studies on anterior horn dissected from MND patients have demonstrated that MnSOD activity is increased when expressed as a percentage of total SOD activity when compared to controls. Total SOD activity (mean ± SD) in controls = 414 ± 105 U mg −1 tissue and in MND patients = 373 ± 115 U mg −1 tissue, whereas CuZnSOD activity was higher in controls (290 ± 91 U mg −1 tissue) than in MND patients (197 ± 81 U mg −1 tissue). The reduction in CuZnSOD was compensated for by a concomitant elevation of MnSOD activity (control = 123 ± 40.5 U mg −1 tissue, MND patients = 175 ± 47 U mg −1 tissue). These data not only show an important deficit in anterior horn cell body protection against free radical-mediated cell damage, but are also are the first measurements of SOD isoenzymes in anterior horn neurones.