Oxidation damage of sulfur dioxide on various organs of mice
二氧化硫对小鼠不同组织器官的氧化损伤作用

The mice were treated by SO2 inhalation for 4 h/day × 7 days, and then activities of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation, of various organs (brain, lung, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney) were measured. The results showed that (1) SO2 inhalation decreased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, also decreased levels of GSH, but increased levels of lipid peroxidation in all mouse organs tested; (2) levels of oxidation damage caused by SO2 were different in various organs, especially oxidation damages of brains, hearts, livers and lungs of mice tested were more serious; (3) Some sex differences were also found. It was suggested that (1) The primary mechanism of toxicological role on mammalian cells by SO2 exposure may be that oxidation damages of lipid and other biomacromolecule are caused by SO2 producing reactive oxygen species; (2) SO2 is a systemic toxin, some damages and diseases of various organs and tissues may be caused by SO2 exposure.