Role of antioxidants in detoxification of Cr (VI) toxicity in laboratory rats

J Environ Sci Eng. 2012 Jul;54(3):441-6.

Abstract

Cr(VI) compounds are highly toxic for biological system. These compounds are approximately 100 times more toxic than Cr(III) salts. Cr(VI) penetrates all membranes without any difficulty, while being unable to bind proteins. However, Cr(VI) has to reduce inside the cell to Cr(III) and produces ROS which causes LP, DNA damage, deplete sulfyhydryl and also alter calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) homeostasis. To study the toxic response of Cr(VI) in living beings, four months old Wistar Strain rats were used in laboratory. The selected rats were divided into 5 categories and administered with pre-determined dose of Cr(VI) as well as antioxidants, viz. GSH, Se and alpha-tocopherol respectively. All the reagents and chemicals used in this study were either of analytical grade or highest purity. Protection offered by three non-enzymatic antioxidants against lipid peroxidation (LP) and oxidative stress in liver and kidney of Cr(VI) exposed rats has been studied. Increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant depletion in GSH (Glutathione) status were observed in liver and kidney of Cr(VI) fed rats. However, administration with antioxidants inhibited lipid peroxidation (LP) as well as oxidative stress and restored GSH cycle in liver and kidney of Cr(VI) treated rats. Observations suggest that complexes formed by Cr(VI) in liver and kidney and the respective ligand preferences determined antioxidative influence of three non-enzymatic antioxidants, viz. glutathione (GSH), alpha-tocopherol and selenium (Se).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Chromium / metabolism
  • Chromium / toxicity*
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • Glutathione / pharmacology
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Selenium / pharmacology
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Chromium
  • chromium hexavalent ion
  • Glutathione
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Selenium