[Activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver and brain is decreased in the early stage of diabetes, and this decrease depends on the function of NMDA-receptors].

Antioxidant enzyme activities in rat liver and forebrain and the effect of the MK-801 administration on these activities were estimated on 6th day of alloxan-induced diabetes. The catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase activities of cytosolic fractions from both liver and forebrain were shown to decrease significantly in prediabetic rats, and these alterations were virtually prevented by the course of MK-801 administration. The results suggest that the suppression of antioxidant enzymes can be the primary biochemical disturbance in diabetes progression and that glutamate NMDA receptors can be involved in the molecular mechanism underlying this condition.