[Comparison of the antioxidative defense system of pigment epithelium of the eye in pigmented animals and in albinos].

The efficiency of lipid peroxidation inhibition by retinal pigment epithelium of pigmented rabbits is higher than that of albino rabbits. The superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities are nearly the same in both tissues; the alpha-tocopherol content is higher in retinal pigment epithelium of albino animals; the oxidation of the pigment epithelium lipid fraction si higher in pigmented animals. It is concluded that the high resistance of pigmented tissue to the effects of prooxidant systems is due to the presence of melanoprotein granules in the pigment epithelium.