Vitamin E improves microsomal phospholipase A2 activity and the arachidonic acid cascade in kidney of diabetic rats

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on microsomal phospholipase A2 activity and the arachidonic acid cascade in the kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to one normal and three STZ-induced diabetic groups. The diabetic groups were fed a vitamin E-free diet (the DM-0E group), 40 mg vitamin E/kg diet (the DM-40E group) or a 400 mg vitamin E/kg diet (the DM-400E group). The kidney vitamin E concentrations were 59 and 49% lower in the DM-0E and DM-40E groups, respectively, than in the normal group. The kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentrations in the DM-0E, DM-40E and DM-400E groups were 119, 84 and 33% greater, respectively, than that in the normal group. The concentration in the DM-400E group was 39% lower than that in the DM-0E group. The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in the kidney microsomes of the DM-0E-40E and DM-400E groups were 88, 58 and 35% greater, respectively, than that in the normal group. The activity in the DM-400E group was 28% lower than that in the DM-0E group and 16% lower than that in the DM-40E group. The differences in the phospholipids in the kidney microsomes included reductions in the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine compositions. Phosphatidylethanolamine hydrolysis in the kidney microsomes of the DM-0E and DM-40E groups were 84 and 64%, which did not differ from the DM-400E group. The formation of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the kidney microsomes was 137 and 70% greater in the DM-0E and DM-40E groups, respectively, than in the normal group. TXA2 formation did not differ between the DM-400E and normal groups. The formation of prostacyclin in the kidney microsomes was 60 and 44% lower in the DM-0E and DM-40E groups, respectively, than in the normal group, whereas the DM-400E group did not differ from that in the normal group. The ratio of prostacyclin to TXA2 was 82 and 65% lower than normal in the DM-0E and DM-40E groups, respectively. Kidney function appears to be improved by vitamin E supplementation due to its antithrombus action, which in turn controls the arachidonic acid cascade system.     

Effects of vitamin E on renal dysfunction in chronic cadmium-poisoned rats

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that can be ingested or inhaled from a variety of industrial and dietary sources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on renal dysfunction and blood pressure changes in chronic cadmium-poisoned rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to one control group and three cadmium-poisoned groups. Cadmium groups were assigned to dietary groups according to levels of vitamin E supplementation: vitamin E-free diet (Cd-0E group), 40 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet (Cd-40E group), and 400 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet (Cd-400E group). The animals were raised for 20 weeks, and cadmium was supplied in the drinking water at 50 ppm Cd(2+). The morphological changes observed by both light and electron microscopy revealed mitochondria and tubule epithelial cell edema in the Cd-0E group, yet this was alleviated with the highest level of vitamin E supplementation (Cd-400E group). The urinary beta(2)-microglobulin levels indicated that glomerular injury was higher in the Cd-poisoned groups than in the control group, but were lowered by vitamin E supplementation. Although the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the Cd-0E group was significantly lower than that of the control group, the vitamin E-supplemented groups exhibited a similar GFR to the control group, suggesting that vitamin E protected the kidney from functional damage. Angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and blood pressure, and heart rate were all significantly higher in the Cd-poisoned group, but each remained nearly normal with vitamin E supplementation. Accordingly, these results indicate that vitamin E supplementation in chronic cadmium-poisoned rats normalized renal dysfunction and blood pressure regulation.     

The effect of vitamin E on pathological changes in kidney and liver of sulphur mustard-exposed guinea pigs

Sulphur mustard (SM) gas is a poisonous chemical agent causing various systemic action in laboratory animals. There is no definite treatment for disorders induced by SM. In this study, the effect of vitamin E alone and in combination with dexamethasone on the pathological changes in the kidney and liver of SM-exposed (SME) guinea pigs was examined. Guinea pigs were divided into five groups (n = 5 in each). These groups were exposed to ethanol (control group), 100 mg/m(3) inhaled SM (SME group), SME treated with vitamin E, 600 mg/kg (SME + E), SME treated with dexamethasone, 5 mg/kg (SME + D), and SME treated with both drugs (SME + E + D), respectively. Pathological evaluation of the kidneys and livers was done 14 days post exposure. There were statistically significant pathological changes in the liver and kidney of SME group compared to control animals (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Treatment of SME animals with vitamin E, dexamethasone and their combination caused statistically significant improvement in the pathological changes in the livers and kidneys (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). These results showed a preventive effect of vitamin E on pathological changes in the liver and more prominently in the kidneys of SME guinea pigs.     

Modulation by dietary vitamin E of I-compounds (putative indigenous DNA modifications) in rat liver and kidney

I(indigenous)-compounds are age-related, carcinogen adduct-like, putative indigenous DNA modifications detectable by 32P-postlabeling assay in untreated animals. To investigate the origins of these DNA derivatives, we examined the effects of dietary vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, on I-compounds of rat liver and kidney DNA. Weanling female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed Draper's diets containing 0, 100, 1000, or 10,000 mg/kg alpha-tocopheryl acetate for 6 mo. The DNA from four individual rats of each group was analyzed by a nuclease P1-enhanced version of the 32P-postlabeling assay for DNA adducts. The amount of vitamin E in the liver was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Rats fed vitamin E-deficient diet (0 mg/kg) showed identical profiles and similar levels of I-compounds as those fed the 100 mg/kg diet. Most I-spots were significantly intensified and one tissue-specific extra spot was found in both liver and kidney DNA of rats fed the 1000 or 10,000 mg/kg vitamin E diet. However, one of the five major I-spots detected in the kidney was weaker in the 1000 and 10,000 mg/kg groups than in the 0 and 100 mg/kg groups. These results show that formation of most I-compounds was not affected by vitamin E-deficient diet, and that long-term feeding of diet containing high levels of vitamin E may cause metabolic alterations leading to an increased formation of DNA-reactive (potentially mutagenic or carcinogenic) electrophiles.     

Effect of alpha-tocopherol on oxidative hemolysis, as evaluated by impedance measurement.

Using a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XOD) reaction system, the effect of vitamin E (VE) on oxidative membrane injury was studied by the impedance method. Both VE-sufficient and VE-deficient erythrocytes showed an elevation of low frequency permittivity in the early phase of reaction. In the later phase of reaction, VE-sufficient erythrocytes showed a sustained elevation in permittivity, while VE-deficient erythrocytes showed a decrease in permittivity with time. These changes consisted with the process of hemolysis in the HX-XOD system. The similarity of early phase change between VE-sufficient and VE-deficient erythrocytes indicates that the HX-XOD system exerted a similar effect on both erythrocytes in the early phase. The difference in changes of later phase between the two types of erythrocytes suggests that VE suppressed the reduction in permittivity. When the results were analyzed by the Pauly-Schwan's theory based on the assumption that erythrocytes are spherical, the product of VE-deficient or VE-sufficient erythrocyte size (R) and membrane capacity (Cm) showed a change similar to that in permittivity.     

不同维生素E含量饲料对D-氨基半乳糖致大鼠肝坏死的影响

本文观察了饲以不同VE含量饲料对D-GAL致大鼠肝坏死模型中脂质过氧化和肝损害程度的影响。结果表明:喂养8周后,富含VE饲料组大鼠血和肝VE值显著高于正常VE含量饲料组,而血MDA值则显著降低。在中毒后各个时期富含VE饲料组血和肝VE均保持较高水平,较好地维持了GSH含量及SOD、GSH-P_X活力和HPT活动度,而MDA含量和OCT、m-AST活性则非常显著低于正常VE含量饲料组,肝脏病理改变也显著轻于后者。贫乏VE饲料组大鼠上述各项指标的改变几乎均与富含VE饲料组相反。结果提示,富含VE饲料有较好的肝脏保护作用,这种保护作用可能是通过提高体内VE水平、抑制脂质过氧化而实现的。VE贫乏使肝脏对致伤因子的敏感性显著增强。     

BSO、GSH、VC和DMPS对汞肾毒性影响的实验研究

目的探讨一次染汞的肾脏毒性作用并观察2氨基4(S丁基磺酰亚氨)丁酸(BSO)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、维生素C(VC)和二巯基丙磺酸钠(DMPS)预处理对汞肾脏毒性的影响。方法Wistar大鼠64只,随机分成8组。第1组为对照组,第2～4组为低、中、高剂量染汞组,分别皮下注射0.75、1.5和2.5mg kg的氯化汞溶液,第5～8组为预处理干预组。BSO预处理组先腹腔注射BSO0.5mmol kgbw,4h后皮下注射0.75mg kgHgCl2溶液。其他3个预处理组中,先分别腹腔注射GSH3mmol kg,VC4mmol kg或DMPS200μmol kgbw,2h后皮下注射2.5mg kgHgCl2溶液。注射容量均为5ml kgbw。对照组皮下注射生理盐水。注射12h后收集大鼠12h尿液,采集血液,分离血清,切取肝脏和肾皮质样品。测定肝脏、肾皮质和尿中汞含量;尿NAG、ALP、LDH活性和尿蛋白,血清尿素氮(BUN)含量。结果染汞后肝、肾皮质和尿汞含量随染汞剂量加大而逐渐增加。肾皮质汞含量有明显的剂量-效应关系,高剂量组肝汞含量显著高于中低剂量组和对照组。中高剂量组尿汞含量显著高于对照组。BSO预处理组和单纯0.75mg kgHgCl2组比,使肝汞含量增加,肾皮质和尿汞含量降低。GSH、VC和DMPS预处理组肝汞含量显著低于单纯2.5mg kgHgCl2组。尿NAG、ALP、LDH活性和尿蛋白、BUN含量随染汞剂量加大而升高,且2.5mg kgHgCl2组显著高于对照组、0.75和1.5mg kg HgCl2组。BSO预处理组尿NAG、ALP活性和尿蛋白、BUN含量显著高于单纯0.75mg kgHgCl2组和对照组。GSH、VC和DMPS预处理组和单纯2.5mg kgHgCl2组相比,尿NAG、ALP、LDH活性和尿蛋白、BUN含量显著降低。结论随着染汞剂量增加,肝脏、肾皮质和尿汞含量也增加。BSO预处理可增强汞的肾脏毒性作用,而GSH、VC和DMPS预处理则对汞的肾脏毒性具有一定的拮抗作用。     

Content and Redistribution of Vitamin E in Tissues of Wistar Rats Under Oxidative Stress Induced by Hydrazine

Hydrazine toxicity is associated with generation of several kinds of free radicals and oxidative stress in cell. Experiments in vivo have demonstrated that oxidative stress could either diminish or increase concentration of vitamin E in some tissues. Thus in the present study we performed experiments to determine whether hydrazine-induced oxidative stress would change the tissue levels of the vitamin. Seven days of hydrazine intoxication led to accumulation of different amounts of vitamin E: 215% in the liver, 118% in the heart, 135% in the spleen, and 100% in the muscle over control value. There were no changes in the level of the vitamin in kidney and pancreas, despite its significant depletion in the serum. In tissue that accumulated vitamin E after hydrazine treatment, an increased of oxidative stress measured by the concentration of lipid-soluble fluorophore was observed. Significant increases of 107%, 46%, 72%, and 58% over control values were observed in the liver, heart, spleen, and muscle, respectively. Rats treated with hydrazine and pharmacological doses of alpha-tocopherol accumulated higher concentrations of vitamin E in all studied tissues compared with the alpha-tocopherol-only treated rats. However, in tissues with elevated levels of fluorophore as liver, heart, spleen, and muscle, the accumulation of vitamin E was 5.03, 4.5, 4.03, and 4.6 times higher than in alpha-tocopherol-treated rats, respectively. Vitamin E concentration was much higher than in kidney and pancreas, where the accumulation was only 2.31 and 2.6 times higher. On the other hand, 3 days of hydrazine treatment did not change either the level of lipid-soluble fluorophore or the level of vitamin E in the liver mitochondria, microsomes, and homogenate. In skeletal muscle vitamin E caused decreased lipofuscin accumulation, and in pancreas vitamin E increased lipofuscin accumulation. Our data indicate that hydrazine is able to modify significantly vitamin E status in different rat tissues.     

Folate and vitamin B12 improved alcohol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia in rats

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of combined treatment of folate and vitamin B12 against alcoholic liver disease.

Methods

Male Wistar rats weighing about 160 g were divided into four groups: an ethanol group fed an ethanol liquid diet; a control group pair-fed an isoenergetic diet without ethanol; an ethanol and vitamin group fed an ethanol-containing diet that was supplemented with folate (10 mg/kg of body weight per day) and vitamin B12 (0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day); and a control and vitamin group fed an isoenergetic diet without ethanol, which was supplemented with folate (10 mg/kg of body weight per day) and vitamin B12 (0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day).

Results

After 16 wk, the plasma folate concentration in the ethanol group was significantly lower than in the other three groups. The plasma homocysteine concentration in the ethanol group was significantly higher than in the other three groups. The hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-2 concentration in the ethanol group was significantly higher than in the control and ethanol/vitamin groups. Furthermore, the plasma homocysteine concentration at the 16th week and the hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-2 concentration showed a significant positive correlation in rats of each group. In addition, pathologic evidence of liver fibrosis was observed only in the ethanol group. Furthermore, hepatic cytochrome 2E1 protein expression in group E increased significantly.

Conclusion

These results suggest that combined treatment of folate and vitamin B12 can alleviate alcoholic liver injury that may be related to normalization of plasma homocysteine levels.     

Moderate exercise combined with dietary vitamins C and E counteracts oxidative stress in the kidney and lens of streptozotocin-induced diabetic-rat

Oxidative stress has a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced cataract formation and nephropathy. Daily moderate exercise and vitamins C and E (VCE) supplementation can be beneficial to diabetes due to reducing blood glucose and free radical production. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of moderate exercise with vitamin VCE on lipid peroxidation (LP) and antioxidative systems in the kidneys and lens of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty female Wistar rats were used. They were randomly divided into four groups. The first and second groups were used as control and diabetic groups. The third group was the diabetic-exercise group. VCE-supplemented feed was given to diabetic-exercise rats constituting the fourth group. Animals in the exercised groups were moderately exercised daily on a treadmill for three weeks (five days a week). Diabetes was induced on day zero of exercise. Body weights in the four groups were recorded weekly. Lens and kidney samples were taken from all animals on day 20. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, and beta-carotene levels in kidney and lens, albumin in plasma, and body weight were significantly lower in the diabetic group than in the control group, whereas there was a significant increase in LP of kidney and lens as well as plasma glucose, urea, and creatinine levels in the diabetic group. The decrease in antioxidant enzymes, vitamins, and albumin and the increase in LP and glucose levels in diabetic rats were significantly improved with exercise and VCE supplementation. In the diabetic animals, the decreased beta-carotene and vitamins A levels in kidney did not improve through exercise only, although their levels were increased by exercise plus VCE supplementation. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that lipid peroxidation increases in the lens and kidney of diabetic animals and this could be due to decreases in antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. However, dietary VCE with moderate exercise may strengthen the antioxidant defense system through the reduction of ROS and blood glucose levels. The VCE supplementations with exercise may play a role in preventing the development of diabetic nephropathy and cataract formation in diabetic animals.     

依那普利和限食对肥胖相关肾病大鼠足细胞损伤的干预作用

目的观察肥胖相关肾病（ORG）大鼠肾小球足细胞WT1表达，探讨依那普利和限食对ORG肾脏保护机制。方法高脂饲料喂养Wistar大鼠24周建立ORG模型后，分为对照组（A）、模型组（B）、依那普利治疗组（C）、限食组（D）、限食加依那普利组（E）继续饲喂8周，观察24h尿白蛋白（24hUA1b）、肾组织形态学及超微结构，免疫组化检测足细胞WT1表达（足细胞密度）。结果B组足细胞数和密度显著低于A组（P〈0．01），24hUA1b和肾小球硬化显著高于A组（P〈0．01）；C、D、E治疗组足细胞数和密度明显高于B组（P〈0．05，P〈0．01），24hUA1b和肾小球硬化较B组明显降低（P〈0．01），且E组联合疗效明显优于单个治疗组。结论ORG足细胞改变与蛋白尿程度和肾损伤呈一定相关性。依那普利加限食能明显抑制ORG足细胞WT1表达，减少尿蛋白，减轻肾损伤。     

维生素E对低温暴露大鼠血清GPT、GOT和LDH活性的影响

本实验观察补充维生素E的大鼠低温暴露后血清GPT、GOT和LDH活性的变化,探索维生素E对低温暴露动物的影响。将体重70～120g雄性大鼠随机分为甲、乙、丙三组,饲以基础饲料,甲组动物每两天腹腔注射维生素E5mg(5mg/ml),5次(10天)后,将甲、丙两组移入低温室(-1±1℃)连续暴露48小时,乙组作为常温对照留在室温下(20±1℃)。低温暴露结束时,立即测定三组动物血清中GPT、GOT和LDH活性。结果是:丙组动物血清中三种酶活性最高,乙组最低,甲组稍高于乙组但明显低于丙组。说明低温暴露动物补充维生素E后血清中三种酶活性稍有改善。     

Green tea catechin improves microsomal phospholipase A2 activity and the arachidonic acid cascade system in the kidney of diabetic rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on the microsomal phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid cascade in the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were assigned randomly to one normal and three streptozotocin-induced diabetic groups. The diabetic groups were the DM-0C group (n = 10), fed a catechin-free diet, the DM-0.25C group (n = 10), fed a 0.25 g catechin per 100 g diet, and the DM-0.5C group (n = 10), fed a 0.5 g catechin per 100 g diet. The kidney microsomal phospholipase A2 activity was higher in the diabetic groups than in the normal group, while it was lower in the DM-0.25C and DM-0.5C groups than in the DM-OC group. The percentage of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysed in the kidney microsomes was not significantly different between any of the four groups. The percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine hydrolysed in the kidney microsomes was progressively higher in the DM-0.5C, DM-0.25C and DM-OC groups, respectively, compared to the normal group. The formation of thromboxane A2 was significantly higher while the formation of prostacyclin was lower in kidney microsomes of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic groups compared with the normal group, but this condition was improved by catechin supplementation. Kidney microsomal vitamin E concentrations were progressively lower in the DM-0.5C, DM-0.25C, and DM-0C groups, respectively, compared to the normal group. The kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) contents became higher in the DM-0C and DM-0.25C groups as compared with the normal group, whereas the DM-0.5C group did not differ from the normal group. Kidney function appears to be improved by green tea catechin supplementation due to its antithrombus action, which in turn controls the arachidonic acid cascade system.     

维生素C和维生素E对糖尿病大鼠非酶糖化和过氧化反应的影响

以链脲佐菌素腹腔注射ＳＤ大鼠建立糖尿病动物模型，在纯营养素饲料配方中补充维生素Ｃ和／或维生素Ｅ，喂饲周，观察单独或联合补充维生素Ｃ、维生素Ｅ对糖尿病非酶糖化及过氧化的干预作用。结果显示维生素Ｃ和Ｅ联合补充可显著减少糖尿病大鼠血红蛋白、低「密度脂蛋白及肾脏皮质的糖化终产物（ＡＧＥｓ）含量，同时显著降低脂质过氧化产物丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）水平，单独补充维生素Ｃ或维生素Ｅ能显著降低糖尿病鼠血清及肾脏ＭＤＡ含量     

Effect of selenium deficiency on the chronic toxicity of adriamycin in rats

The effect of selenium deficiency on the chronic toxicity of adriamycin was examined in rats fed diets adequate in vitamin E. Selenium-deficient and selenium-supplemented diets were fed to rats for 10 wk, after which groups of 10 rats fed each diet were given weekly intravenous injections of adriamycin in saline at doses of 0, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg body weight for 12 wk. All rats were killed at 24 wk. Even though the cardiac glutathione peroxidase activity in the selenium-deficient group was less than 1% of that of the selenium-supplemented group, the severity of the adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy was similar in both groups. However, the selenium-deficient rats were more sensitive to the growth-inhibiting effect of the higher dose of adriamycin than the selenium-supplemented rats. Moreover, the lower dose of adriamycin caused a mild nephropathy in 70% of the deficient rats but affected only 10% of the supplemented rats. Selenium status may have to be considered when adriamycin is used as a chemotherapeutic agent.     

Ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids status in rats fed diets varying in vitamin E levels

Vitamin E, ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids were determined in plasma and selected tissues of rats fed for 2-3 months different diets varying in vitamin E content. The diets contained as low as 5 IU for group LE, a normal amount of 50 IU for group NE and as high as 250 IU of vitamin E for group HE. Small increases in total vitamin C were observed only in liver, kidney, spleen and plasma with increased dietary levels of vitamin E, however, this was not followed by a substantial increment in the ascorbate/dehydroascorbate ratio. These differences were only observed between diets LE and HE; there was no correlation between vitamin E and vitamin C levels in the tissue. These data suggest that the interactions that readily take place in vitro between these two vitamins do not occur in vivo, probably due to the complexity of natural membranes.     

The effects of methidathion on liver: role of vitamins E and C

Methidathion (MD) is one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides (OPIs) for public health programmes and agricultural purposes. However it causes side effects such as liver disorders. We examined the ameliorating effects of a combination of vitamins E and C against MD induced liver toxicity in rats. MD was given orally with a single dose of 8 mg/kg body weight at 0 h. Vitamin E and vitamin C were injected 30 min after the treatment of MD at doses of 150 mg/kg body weight i.m. and 200 mg/kg body weight i.p., respectively. Liver tissue samples were taken 24 h after the MD administration. In MD treated group, some histopathological changes like infiltration with mononuclear cells at parenchymal tissue, sinusoidal dilatation, focal necrotic areas, granular degeneration and picnotic nuclei in the hepatocytes were observed. The severity of these lesions was reduced by administration of vitamins. It is concluded that MD caused liver damage and single-dose treatment with a combination therapy of vitamins E and C after the administration of MD can reduce the toxic effects of MD on liver tissue of rats.     

The effects of diazinon on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in rat erythrocytes: role of vitamins E and C

Reactive oxygen species caused by organophosphates may be involved in the toxicity of various pesticides. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of acute exposure to organophosphate insecticide diazinon (DI) and possible ameliorating role of vitamins E and C, with the following parameters: lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rat erythrocytes. The experimental groups were arranged as control group, DI-treated group (DI) and DI + vitamin E + vitamin C-treated group (DI + Vit). DI + Vit groups were treated orally with a single dose of 335 mg/kg DI body weight. Vitamins E and C were injected at doses of 150 mg/kg body weight intramuscular (in) and 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal (ip), respectively, 30 min after the treatment of DI in DI + Vit group. Blood samples were taken 24 h after the DI. The results showed that DI administration caused to increase in LPO and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px enzymes in erythrocytes. Also, the combination of vitamins E and C decreased LPO and the activities of GSH-Px and SOD compared with the DI group. In conclusion, although treating rats with single dose DI increases LPO and antioxidant enzyme activities in erythrocytes, vitamins C and E combination can reduce LPO caused by DI.     

Antioxidant effect of vitamin E and selenium on hepatotoxicity induced by dimethoate in female adult rats

Acute exposure to pesticides can cause hepatotoxicity. Our study pertains to the potential ability of selenium and/or vitamin E, used as nutritional supplements, to alleviate oxidative stress induced by dimethoate. Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups of six each: group I served as controls; group II received in their drinking water dimethoate (2 g L⁻¹); group III received both dimethoate and selenium (0.5 mg/kg of diet); group IV was treated with dimethoate and vitamin E (100 mg/kg of diet); group V received dimethoate+selenium+vitamin E and groups VI and VII received either selenium or vitamin E. The exposure of rats to dimethoate for 30 days promoted oxidative stress with an increase in malondialdehyde and a decrease in glutathione and non-protein thiol levels. A decrease in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities was also observed. While, plasma transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase activities and bilirubin levels increased. Co-administration of selenium and/or vitamin E through diet improved the biochemical parameters cited above. Liver histological studies confirmed biochemical parameters and the beneficial roles of selenium and vitamin E.