Activity and distribution of superoxide dismutase in the layers of polyester grafts

The aim of the present study was to evaluate superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) activity in the principal layers of polyester grafts implanted into the abdominal aorta of dogs. The grafts were examined 7 days and 1, 4 and 12 months after the operation. It was found that SOD activity occurred in all polyester graft layers during the whole experiment. The neointima activity ws 1.5-fold lower during the 1st month; with the passage of time, it became 2-fold lower than in the normal aorta (p < 0.01). SOD activity in the medial and outer graft layers behaved similarly: it was lowest after 7 days, increased after 1 month and significantly decreased after 4 and 12 months (p < 0.01). Our study shows that the activity of SOD is low in polyester grafts and it can thus be inferred that protection against the superoxide anion is inadequate.