Plasma EC-superoxide dismutase activity in insulin-dependent diabetic children.

Toxic oxygen-centered radicals have been linked to beta-cell damage brought about by some chemicals and might conceivably also be of importance in the pathogenesis of spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In several model systems, superoxide dismutase has been protective. The major protector against superoxide radicals in the extracellular space appears to be a recently discovered superoxide dismutase, EC-superoxide dismutase. This enzyme was analysed in plasma from children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The specimens were obtained from 8 patients with disease of recent onset and from 15 patients with disease of longer duration. There was no significant difference in EC-superoxide dismutase between the patients and controls.