ANTIOXIDANT DEFENCE ENZYMES IN RAT BRAIN-THE REGIONAI, VARIATION A study of fluctuations in the enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in brain with hypoxia

about 20% of total oxygen consumption in the body (Erecinska and Silver, 2001). However, lack of oxygen reservoirs like myoglobin in the brain cells and a low and non uniform partial pressure in them makes brain an organ most vulnerable to decrease in oxygen concentration (Nair et al., 1975; Smith et al., 1977). Diseases of the c:ardiovascular system and respiratory disorders will invariably lead to oxygen deprivation in the brain which in turn accounts for the brain injury. Oxygen deprivation during childbirth still remains a major problem, despite all the advancements in the field of obstretics and perinatd care.