Histochemical investigations of the biochemical defence mechanism in experimental trichinellosis: I. peroxidase activity.

Biological reactions caused by free radicals at the molecular and cellular levels engage many different biochemical components which can be directly damaged by the oxidizing radicals and which eventually promote pathological processes. Defence mechanisms have evolved to limit the speed of production of free radical damage; they include low molecular antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. In this study, the activity of peroxidase acting against peroxides appearing in muscle of mice at different stages of infection with Trichinella spiralis was analyzed. The presented results are part of a bigger research concerning the defence mechanisms of the host in the course of experimental trichinellosis.