Expression and developmental profile of antioxidant enzymes in human lung and liver

Air breathing, especially oxygen therapy, exposes the lung to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) may protect the lung from ROS-mediated injury. Because expression of the key AOEs increases in several animal species during gestation, we investigated (1) the messenger RNA (mRNA) and activity levels of the key AOEs manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutases (MnSOD and CuZnSOD, respectively), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in adult lung samples and during ontogenesis; and (2) the difference in AOE expression between lung and liver. In the lung, the mRNA expression of MnSOD, CuZnSOD, and CAT increased toward adulthood, and GPx was unchanged. Pulmonary activities of MnSOD and CuZnSOD were unchanged, whereas CAT increased 3-fold from fetuses to adults. In the liver, the mRNA expression of MnSOD, CuZnSOD, and GPx increased, whereas that of CAT decreased toward adulthood. Hepatic activities of MnSOD and CuZnSOD increased 2-fold and 4-fold, respectively, whereas CAT was similar in fetuses and adults. Neonatal GPx activity was 2-fold higher in the lung and 6-fold higher in the liver compared with adults. The mRNA levels of MnSOD correlated positively with those of CuZnSOD and CAT in the lung, and GPx with those of MnSOD and CuZnSOD in the liver. Activities of MnSOD and CuZnSOD correlated positively in the liver. We conclude that the regulation of AOEs differs between human lung and liver, and is not tightly coordinated in either tissue.