Journal of Biochemical and Btophyslcal Methods, 22 (1991) 135-144

135

© 1991 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. 0165-022X/91/$03.50 ADONIS 0165022X9100055P

JBBM 00860

N M R method for superoxide dismutase assay in brain and liver homogenates Marina Scarpa 1, Paolo Viglino 2 Federico M o m o 3, Fulvio Bracco Leontino Battistin 4 and Adelio Rigo 1

4

1 Department of Bwlogleal Chemistry and 4 Instttute of Neurology, Unwersity of Padua, Italy," 2 Institute of Biology, University of Udme, Italy and 3 Department of Spectroscopy, University of Venice, Italy (Received 16 August 1990) (Accepted 18 September 1990)

Summary A method for copper- and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu- and MnSOD) assay in tissue homogenates such as fiver and brain, based on the measurement of the longitudinal nuclear relaxation time (T1) of F - , has been developed as a preliminary approach to in vivo measurement of these enzymes. The relaxation rate of F - , which increases linearly with the SOD concentration, also depends on the oxidation state of the metal ion present in the active site of the enzyme. The relaxivity values of the oxtdized, reduced and turnovering CuSOD were found to be 9.6 x 106,