3.6. Thiol group content and antioxidant enzymes
The increased oxidative stress is related to an overproduction of
free radicals or deficiency in the antioxidant defense system. GSH
values in liver were similar for both groups (P=0.638) (Fig. 4a). However,
TEA group showed a 40% increase in GSH level in kidneys relative
to control group (Fig. 4b). GR was 2 times increased and GPx 3.5 times
reduced in the liver of animals from TEA group compared to control
(Fig. 5a, b, respectively). Glutathione is a major source of reducing
power and it is maintained in the reduced form by GR, acting together
with NADPH (Skrzydlewska et al., 2002). Therefore, the increment or
maintenance of total glutathione and rise in GR could be an indication