Effects of Se, Cu and Se + vitamin E deficiency on the activities of CuZnSOD, GSH‐Px, CAT and LPO levels in chicken erythrocytes

Antioxidant enzymes and vitamins provide a defence against the damage of cells by reactive oxygen species in living systems. The effect of Cu, Se and vitamin E deficiencies on the antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxide levels of chicken erythrocytes were investigated during 6 weeks of a depletion diet. CuZnSOD activity and the plasma Cu level of the Cu‐deficient group which was fed a diet containing 0.2 mg Cu kg −1 were reduced to 62 and 71% respectively. GSH‐Px activity of the Se‐deficient group was decreased by 46% but by 21% in the Cu‐deficient group. CAT activity values of Se‐ and Cu‐deficient groups were increased by 28 and 10% respectively. The maximum increase of LPO levels in erythrocyte membranes was observed as 32% for the Se+E‐deficient group. The LPO level of the Cu‐deficient group which had decreased CuZnSOD and GSH‐Px activity, was also observed to be significantly increased when compared with the controls ( p  < 0.05). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.