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Lymphocyte 5'-ectonucleotidase: an indicator of oxidative stress in humans?
A H Chalmers1, J S Blake-Mortimer, A H Winefield
1Department of Haematology and Genetic Pathology, Flinders University Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. chalmers.ah@flinders.edu.au
Abstract:
Lymphocytic 5'-ectonucleotidase (NT) activity previously has been shown to be reduced in patients with a high pro-oxidant state. This study shows that NT activity is decreased in vitro by exposure to superoxide anions and that ascorbate protects against this effect. Also, a putative high pro-oxidant state in vivo, as indicated by low tissue ascorbate levels, resulted in a significant decrease in NT which an antioxidant intake normalized. These results taken together suggest that NT is sensitive to superoxide anion and that it may be a good marker of a pro-oxidant state in humans.