Evaluation of Methanol Induced Free Radicals in Mice Liver

Abstract

Methanol induced oxidative stress (OS) models in mice were successfully established and evaluated by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique. The capacity for removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) free radicals by rhubarb and vitamin C (Vc) as candidate materials was also investigated. EPR was employed to determine the free radicals generated from a spin trapping agent, α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), that reacted with the ROS. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were also evaluated by enzyme assays. The results indicated that methanol clearly promoted the generation of ROS free radicals in the liver of mice. The activity of SOD and GSH-PX was reduced significantly, although the level of MDA was increased as a result of the harmful effect of methanol. In addition, rhubarb and Vc exhibited a protective effect on the mice liver under acute OS.