Superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. SOD plays a critical role in the defense of cells against the toxic effects of oxygen radicals. SOD competes with nitric oxide (NO) for superoxide anion (which reacts with NO to form peroxynitrite), thereby SOD promotes the activity of NO. SOD has also been shown to suppress apoptosis in cultured rat ovarian follicles, neural cell lines, and transgenic mice by preventing the conversion of NO to peroxynitrate, an inducer of apoptosis.http://www.creative-enzymes.com/product/Native-Escherichia-Coli-Superoxide-Dismutase_1458.html