Abstract

Protective roles of antioxidant enzymes, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and catalase of Candida albicans against exogenous reactive oxygens and oxidative killing by macrophages were investigated. The initial growth of C. albicans was inhibited by reactive, oxygen-producing chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, pyrogallol, and paraquat, but it was restored as the production of antioxidant enzymes were increased. The growth inhibition of C. albicans by reactive, oxygen-producing chemicals was reduced by treating the purified candidal SOD and catalase. Also, in the presence of SOD and catalase, the oxidative killing of C. albicans by macrophages was significantly inhibited. These results suggest that antioxidant enzymes, CuZnSOD, MnSOD, and catalase of C. albicans may play important roles in the protection of C. albicans not only from exogenous oxidative stress but also from oxidative killing by macrophages.

• Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Candida albicans; macrophages; oxidative killing