Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Superoxide Dismutases: Inhibition of Carrageenan Induced Edema in Rats

Various superoxide dismutases from different sources, containing Cu, Mn or Fe at the active centre, have been examined with respect to anti-inflammatory activity in a model using adriamycin-induced edema in rats. Very large differences in efficiency are observed, the most active being E. coli Mn-SOD and bovine Cu-SOD. TheFe-SOD from E coli is active whereas P. leiognathiFe-SODisnot. Human Mn-SOD shows no significant activity and homologous rat Cu-SOD is totally inactive. Yeast Cu-SOD shows proinflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory activity is not a function of molecular weight or circulation life-time.