Abstract
Arsenic is an ubiquitous element in the environment causing oxidative burst in the exposed individuals leading to tissue damage. Antioxidants have long been known to reduce the free radical-mediated oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine whether supplementation of α-tocopherol (400 mg/kg body weight) and ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg body weight) to arsenic-intoxicated rats (100 ppm in drinking water) for 30 days affords protection against the oxidative stress caused by the metalloid. The arsenic-treated rats showed elevated levels of lipid peroxide, decreased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and activities of enzymatic antioxidants. Administration of α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid to arsenic-exposed rats showed a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and enhanced levels of total sulfhydryls, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol and so do the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase to near normal. These findings suggest that α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid prevent LPO and protect the antioxidant system in arsenic-intoxicated rats.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 675-680 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Human and Experimental Toxicology |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2002 |
Keywords
- Antioxidants
- Arsenic
- Ascorbic acid
- Oxidative stress
- Tocopherol
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Toxicology
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis