Modulation of superoxide dismutase by electron donors and acceptors.

The competition between superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) for O2- radicals in the presence of a number of physiologically active compounds was studied. The Na+ channel blockers, ajmaline, tetracaine, bipuvacaine, lidocaine and etmozine produced an increase in the amount of O2- reacting with SOD. Nitroprusside, ferricyanide, BAY K8644, levomycetin, cGMP, cAMP and GMP acted in the opposite way. All the SOD activtors had in common the property of being electron donors in the reactions with the light-induced free radicals of eosin whereas the SOD inhibitors behaved as electron acceptors. The electron activity of SOD modulators correlated qualitatively with their regulating efficacy.