EXAMINATION OF THE ACTIVITV OF THE ANTI OXIDATIVE SYSTEM ENZYMES IN THE SUBCHRONIC INTOXICATION WITH 2-BUTOXIETANOLE IN MICE OF BALB/c RACE

The effect of 2-butoxietanole (2-BE) as an organic solvent from the ether-glycol group upon the anti oxidative system enzymes in the liver of the mice of the Balb/c race is examined. The animals were treated for ten days per orally with the dose of 500 mg/kg. The morphometric parameters (relative mass of the spleen and the liver) were analyzed as well as protein concentration (Lowry method), mitochondrial (manganese) super oxide dysmutase (MnSOD) activity and that of cytozoic (copper-zinc) super oxide dysmutase (CuZnSOD) (Misra and Fridovich method) in addition to the catalase activity (Beutler method). In the group of animals treated with 2-butoxietanole splenomegaly was registered which pointed to extramedullary he-matopoiesis as well as a reduced activity of anti oxidative system enzymes. The reduced catalase activity and CuZnSOD in the liver are not statistically important with respect to the control group. However, the activity of MnSOD is statistically considerably reduced regarding the control group (p<0,01). The reduced anti oxida-tive system enzyme activity points to increased production of free radicals. Our results suggest that one of the possible mechanisms of pathogenetic damage in the 2-butoxietanole intoxication is based upon oxidative stress.