F-induced death of rat erythrocytes was accompanied by
accumulation of peroxides, most probably H2O2, whereas the
content of superoxide was unchanged (Table 2). These results
are consistent with our data obtained on the rat erythrocytes
under in vitro conditions, where production of peroxides was
revealed at low F concentrations and short exposure, while
·O2
− generation was observed only after prolonged incubation
with high NaF doses [16]. The similar pattern of ROS production
was observed in erythrocytes of the rat intoxicated with
arsenic, with accumulation of peroxides registered from the
early stage of exposure and superoxide contributing to oxidative
stress after a few months delay [44]. Moreover, in
leucocytes ·O2
− generation was reported to occur only at high
F concentrations [45]. This phenomenon might reflect a universal
peculiarity of antioxidant system in blood cells of