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Toxic Responses of the Plasma Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px)

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Abstract

Selenium (Se) acts as an antagonist to the toxic effects of many heavy metals, including mercury (Yoneda and Suzuki 1997; Falnoga and Tusek-Znidaric 2007). This essential trace element (Combs and Combo 1984) is important in many biological functions, since it is a cofactor in selenium-containing enzymes, especially in antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (Rotruck et al. 1973). This enzyme is effective in catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxides and lipid peroxides. When GSH-Px activity is inhibited, peroxides formed during oxidative stress can propagate cell damage. Measurement of this enzyme activity is an indirect and noninvasive method that could be used to assess oxidant stress. The activity of this enzyme has been used to assess body selenium status and nutritional requirements (Levander 1991).

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  1. Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre (IBRC) Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India

    Shabnum Nabi

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Nabi, S. (2014). Toxic Responses of the Plasma Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px). In: Toxic Effects of Mercury. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1922-4_19

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