Levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were determined in blood and hepatic tissues of thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rats and compared to levels in age-matched control animals. The plasma level of uric acid was also determined in these animals. A general decrease was noticed in the level of all the antioxidants examined as compared to the control. This decrease was statistically significant in the level of all the antioxidants studied, except for the level of superoxide dismutase in blood. A decrease in the antioxidant level may indicate an increase in free radical level and thereby an increase in cellular damage in cirrhotic rats. The changes in the level of antioxidants showed a direct correlation with the changes in the level of trace elements observed in our previous studies. These studies suggest that antioxidants alone or in combination with trace elements may have beneficial effects in treating liver cirrhosis.
