Generation of reactive oxygen species and activity of antioxidants in hemolymph of the moth larvae Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Piralidae) at development of the process of encapsulation

Activities of enzymatic antioxidants—superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase—as well as generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lymph of the honeycomb moth Galleria mellonella L. were studied at development of the process of encapsulation of nylon implants. It has been established that as soon as 15 min after piercing of cuticle with the implant the capsule is formed on its surface. Active melanization of the capsule has been shown to last for 4 h. A statistically significant increase of the ROS generation in lymph and a decrease of the enzymatic antioxidant activities in the insect hemocytes have been revealed after the implant incorporation. The authors suggest that the key role in maintenance of the oxidation-reduction balance in hemolymph at development of the encapsulation process is played by non-oxidative antioxidants.