Effect of sulfur dioxide inhalation on erythrocyte antioxidant status, food intake, and lipid peroxidation during aging.

The effect of sulfur dioxide on red blood cell antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation was investigated in young (3 mo), middle-age (12 mo), and old (24 mo) male albino rats. Ten ppm of sulfur dioxide was administered to the rats in the sulfur dioxide groups in an exposure chamber. Exposure occurred 1 hr/d, 7 d/wk, for 6 wk; control rats were exposed to filtered air during the same time periods. Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione, and glutathione-S-transferase activities were significantly decreased in the middle-aged and older groups, compared with the young group. Sulfur dioxide exposure significantly decreased copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity in all experimental groups, compared with controls. Sulfur dioxide exposure significantly increased enzyme and glutathione activities.