# SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE & CATALASE IN B FRAGILIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 1988 · $81,627

## Abstract

Anaerobes may develop soft tissue infection sites after a brief passage through
air, or through a more oxidizing environment than they encounter in their normal
habitat. Although little information concerning the sundry effects of oxygen,
antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and nutrient
sources upon the ability of aerobes or aerotolerant species to generate a soft
tissue infection, that information is virtually nonexistant for anaerobes.  The
purpose of the proposed research is to determine the effects of intracellular
and intercellular levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase upon the ability
of Bacteroides fragilis and other anaerobes to resist oxygen dependent
phagocytic cell destruction, develop an experimental infection site, and
withstand hyperbaric oxygen and oxygen metabolite stress.  B.  fragilis contains
an O2-inducible superoxide dismutase.  Increased levels of that enzyme impart
resistance to hyperbaric oxygen stress.  The susceptibility of induced and
uninduced cells to phagocytic kill and their ability to generate an abscess in
situ will be correlated.  Catalase levels may be manipulated by varying both
glucose and hemin levels during culture of B. fragilis.  Cells with altered
catalase levels will also be subjected to the test systems described herein.
These studies are designed to seek quantitative answers to questions concerning
aerotolerance and the infection process.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126100
- **Project number:** 5R01AI015250-08
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QDE5UHE5XD16
- **Principal Investigator:** EUGENE M GREGORY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $81,627
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-08-01 → 1990-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126100

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126100, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE & CATALASE IN B FRAGILIS (5R01AI015250-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126100. Licensed CC0.

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