[Study on correlation and clinical significance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and content in 102 patients with leukemia].

Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and blood Cu/Zn SOD content were examined in 102 cases of leukemia. The results showed that the total SOD activities, Cu/Zn SOD activities and contents declined significantly in blast phase of acute leukemia, yet increased to normal levels in remission. There was a positive correlation between SOD and blood hemoglobin concentration as well as leucocyte count. It declined again when leukemia recurred and in dying patients. There was a dissociation between Cu/Zn SOD activities and contents in patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, both activity and contents of SOD were normal. It was suggested that SOD plays a protective role during the occurrence and development of leukemia. SOD is a useful parameter in the differential diagnosis of leukemias and monitoring clinical course of leukemias.