Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 Jul;41(7):868-875.

The Generation of Superoxide Radicals and Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Influenza A Virus-Induced Maxiliary Sinusitis of Rabbits

• Cho JH
• Jung K
• Cho CS
• Lim HJ
• Kim HB
• Choi SY

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oxygen free radicals are generated markedly in various infected condition, and these molecular species were identified as potent pathologic agents. The activities of various antioxidant enzymes have close relationships to genereration and metabolism of oxygen free radicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the generation of superoxide radicals and activities of antioxidant enzymes and to compare histopathological changes in influenza A virus-induced maxillary sinusitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experimental viral infection was induced in New Zealand white rabbits by inoculating 0.3 ml of influenza A virus. Maxillary sinus mucosa were examined with a light microscope and the generation of superoxide radicals and activity of antioxidant enzymes were measured at the intervals up to 28 days after inoculation.
RESULTS
The mucosal changes deteriorated and reached maximum at seven days after inoculation. The first day of inoculation, mononuclear phagocytes and neutrophils began to be found in subepithelial layer. We also found that capacity of oxygen generation increased about one and a half fold compared with the non-infected control group. The activity of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, which are specific scavengers of oxygen radicals, peaked at three, five, and seven days after viral inoculation, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that oxygen free radicals play an improtant role in the histopathologic damage in the early stage of influenza A viral infection, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes are enhanced by the generation of superoxide radicals. It is also indicated that antioxidant enzymes may have a therapeutic potential for this viral infection and other conditions associated with free radicals.

Keyword

Superoxide radicals; Superoxide dismutase; Catalase; Glutathione peroxidase

MeSH Terms

Animals
Catalase
Cats
Free Radicals
Glutathione Peroxidase
Influenza A virus
Influenza, Human*
Maxillary Sinus
Maxillary Sinusitis
Metabolism
Mucous Membrane
Neutrophils
Oxygen
Phagocytes
Rabbits*
Reactive Oxygen Species
Sinusitis*
Superoxide Dismutase
Superoxides*
Catalase
Free Radicals
Glutathione Peroxidase
Oxygen
Reactive Oxygen Species
Superoxide Dismutase
Superoxides