[Glutathione peroxidase II activity in the blood of hypercholesteremic mammals]

The activity of the lipoperoxide-detoxicating enzyme glutathion--peroxidase II (GP II) in the blood of intact mammals predisposed to atherogenesis (rabbits, mini-pigs, men) is considerably less as compared to the species resistant to atherosclerosis development (rats). Hypercholesterolemia produces an abrupt decrease in GP II activity in the whole blood, plasma and formed elements (red cells, platelets) of the blood of mammals susceptible to atherosclerosis, while in the atherogenesis-resistant species (rats) the activity of the enzyme remains unchanged in spite of a considerable rise in the cholesterol blood content. In the course of the development of mini-pigs, the decreased cholesterol blood content is associated with a respective increase in the activity of GP II and lowered content of the primary and secondary products of lipid peroxidation in the blood of adult animals. The role of decreased activity of the enzymatic systems involved in lipoperoxide detoxication in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is discussed.