Experimental burn-induced changes in lipid peroxide levels, and activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in skin lesions, serum, and liver of mice.

The lipid peroxide levels and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in skin lesions, liver, and serum of mice were measured from the 15th min to 6th day after burns were inflicted on their skin. The lipid peroxide levels in the skin lesions were increased at the 24th h and on the 3rd day after the burns were inflicted. However, the SOD activity did not increase but was significantly decreased from the 30th min to 24th h. GSH-Px activity was almost undetectable in both skin and serum. The lipid peroxide levels in the serum were significantly increased and SOD activity slightly increased at the 4th h. The lipid peroxide levels in the liver were elevated at the 4th h and on the 3rd day although a slight decrease was observed at the 8th h. SOD and GSH-Px activities in the liver increased from the 4th to 24th h. The present study illustrates the changes in both burn-induced lipid peroxides in each organ and the induction mechanisms of the activities of oxygen radical scavenging enzyme, SOD, and lipid peroxide processing enzyme, GSH-Px, which responded to oxygen stress.