Bee venom is a complex mixture of toxic components that induces immediate local inflammatory and allergic responses. However, the presence and role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in bee venom have not been previously investigated. Here, we provide the first demonstration that bee venom contains Cu,Zn SOD (SOD3), a novel extracellular component that promotes local inflammation. Bee venom SOD3 was shown to be an oxidant, rather than an antioxidant, that induces the inflammation-signaling molecule H2O2 in vivo. H2O2 plays a pathological role by triggering an immediate local inflammatory response. Furthermore, bee venom SOD3 significantly induced the activation of proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α and COX-2) and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) via the overproduction of H2O2 in mice. Our data demonstrate that bee venom SOD3 induced H2O2, which drives an immediate local inflammatory response, indicating a novel mechanism underlying bee venom-induced local inflammation.

We have generated transgenic mice that expressed mouse extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in their skin. In particular, the expression plasmid DNA containing human keratin K14 promoter was used to direct the keratinocyte-specific transcription of the transgene. To compare intron-dependent and intron-independent gene expression, we constructed two vectors. The vector B, which contains the rabbit -globin intron 2, was not effective for mouse EC-SOD overexpression. The EC-SOD transcript was detected in the skin, as determined by Northern blot analysis. Furthermore, EC-SOD protein was detected in the skin tissue, as demonstrated by Western blot analysis. To evaluate the expression levels of EC-SOD in various tissues, we purified EC-SOD from the skin, lungs, brain, kidneys, livers, and spleen of transgenic mice and measured its activities. EC-SOD activities in the transgenic mice skin were approximately 7 fold higher than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that the mouse overexpressing vector not only induces keratinocyte-specific expression of EC-SOD, but also expresses successfully functional EC-SOD. Thus, these transgenic mice appeared to be useful for the expression of the EC-SOD gene and subsequent analysis of various skin changes, such as erythema, inflamation, photoaging, and skin tumors.

Polyethyleneglycol-adsorbed–superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD), has been proposed as an effective agent for reducing free radical-mediated injury. The objective of this study was to investigate a protective effect of PEG-SOD supplementation on ovarian tissue during transplantation. Ovaries from F-1 mice were collected and vitrified. After warming, ovaries were autotransplanted under kidney capsule. Mice were randomly divided into four groups according to dose of PEG-SOD, (0 U/ml, 100 U/ml, 1,000 U/ml and 10,000 U/ml respectively). Grafted ovaries were retrieved 2, 7 and 21 days later. PEG-SOD was treated by intraperitoneal injection once every 48 hours and especially for 21 days group, after first week treatment, PEG-SOD was treated once every 4 days. Morphology of ovaries was assessed histological analysis and ELISA for FSH was performed to evaluate restoration of ovarian function. In 2 days groups, morphologically intact follicle ratio of 10,000 U/ml group was significantly higher than other groups. In 7 days groups, morphologically intact follicle ratio was significantly higher in all treatment groups. In 21 days groups, there was no significant difference of intact follicle ratio in total follicles in all groups but intact primordial, primary and secondary follicles ratio was higher in 10,000 U/ml group. FSH levels in blood serum were decrease as time goes on, but there is no statistical difference in each groups. In conclusion, the data of the present study show that PEG-SOD has a beneficial effect on preservation of the morphologically intact follicle.

SOD(superoxide dismutase)는 유해 활성산소에 의한 생리적 장해를 방지하는 방어기작의 한 구성요소이다. 들깨잎 SOD의 특성을 알아보기 위한 NBT(nitro blue tetrazolium) 환원법 을 이용하여 들깨와 자소잎의 SOD동위효소의 종류와 활성 및 이들의 항산화 활성을 Fe2+/ascorbate, Fe3+ -ADP/NADPH첨가제를 처리하여 조사하였다. 들깨잎에는 품종에 따라 3~4개의 주요 SOD동위효소가 있었다. SOD는 함유하고 있는 금속조효소에 따라 3종류로 분류되는데, 들깨잎에는 두개의 Cu/ZnSOD와 두개의 FeSOD을 함유하고 있었으나, 자소잎은 단지 Cu/ZnSOD만을 함유하고 있었다. Cu/ZnSOD는 들깨 품종에 따른 차이가 없었으나, FeSOD는 분자량이 다른 두개의 FeSOD동위효소의 존재 양상이 품종에 따라 차이를 나타내었으며, SOD활성 및 항산화 활성도 품종에 따라 비교적 큰 차이를 보였다. 비효소적인 Fe2+/ascorbate첨가 및 Fe3+ -ADP/NADPH첨가에 의해 유도된 지질 과산화의 억제에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과 공시재료중 밀양 2호가 가장 강한 항산화 활성을 가지고 있는 것으로 확인되었다. 자소 잎의 경우는 SOD활성과 유사하게 항산화 활성 정도 가장 낮아서 들깨잎과는 뚜렷 이 구별되었다.