Diminished antioxidant defense potential of liver, erythrocytes and serum from rats with subacute methanol intoxication.

The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) and the concentration of ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, non-protein and protein-bound sulfhydryl compounds, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-rs) in liver, erythrocytes and serum of rats dosed with 1.5 g methanol/kg bw were measured after 6, 12 and 24 h and 2, 5 and 7 d. Hematological erythrocyte parameters were also determined. Liver GSH-Px and GSSG-R activities, SH-groups and ascorbate were significantly diminished at 12 and 24 h, while TBA-rs increased. Blood SOD, GSH-Px and GSSG-R activities and sulfhydryl-group concentrations were reduced while TBA-rs were elevated. Methanol given to rats impaired liver, erythrocyte and blood serum antioxidant mechanisms.