Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the lymphoid organs and skeletal muscles of rats treated with dexamethasone.

The effect of dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase) of the lymphoid organs (mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen and thymus) was investigated. For comparison with non-immune tissues, skeletal muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius (GC) were also studied. As an indication of the occurrence of lipid peroxidation, the content of thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (TBARs) was also determined. Dexamethasone treatment decreased the TBARs content of the lymphoid organs and raised it in the GC and soleus muscles. The activity of Cu/Zn-SOD was reduced in all tissues. However, the activity of Mn-SOD was decreased in the MLN and soleus muscle only. The activity of catalase was reduced in the MLN and thymus and raised in the spleen and GC and soleus muscles. The imposed treatment raised the activity of GPX in the MLN, thymus and spleen and reduced it in GC and soleus muscles. These data led us to postulate that the mechanism for the therapeutic effect of glucocorticoids as antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive agents might include modification of antioxidant enzyme activities.