Different behaviour of normal and neoplastic cells cultured in vitro in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase.

Chicken embryo fibroblasts and hepatocytes were studied in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase in order to establish whether these enzymes had the capacity to favour cell multiplication as previously shown for in vitro tumour ascites cells (ATP C+). The results indicate that, unlike ATP C+ cells, both fibroblasts and hepatocytes are inhibited in their multiplication by superoxide dismutase. Similar effects are exerted on hepatocytes by catalase, whereas the multiplication of fibroblasts is favoured by high doses of this enzyme. Enzyme determinations revealed high levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase in hepatocytes, whereas both enzymes were poor in fibroblasts and ATP C+.