Protective Influence of
Vitamin E on Antioxidant Defense System in the Blood of Rats
Treated with Cadmium
B. I. OGNJANOVIĆ, S. Z. PAVLOVIĆ1, S. D. MALETIĆ, R.
V. ŽIKIĆ, A. Š. ŠTAJN, R. M. RADOJIČIĆ2, Z.S.
SAIČIĆ1, V.M. PETROVIĆ1
Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of
Kragujevac, Kragujevac, 1Institute for Biological
Research "Siniša Stanković", Department of Physiology, Belgrade,
2Institute for Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty
of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia
Received July 11, 2002
Accepted November 11, 2002
Summary
The effects of acute exposure to cadmium (Cd) on the blood
antioxidant defense system, lipid peroxide concentration and
hematological parameters, as well as the possible protective
role of vitamin E were studied. Male Wistar albino rats (3
months old) were treated with cadmium (0.4 mg Cd/kg b.m., i.p.,
24 h before the experiment) or with vitamin E + Cd (20 IU Vit
E/kg b.m., i.m., 48 h + 0.4 mg Cd/kg b.m., i.p., 24 h before the
experiment). The hematological parameters were assessed: red
blood cell counts, hematocrit value and hemoglobin concentration
were significantly decreased in the blood of Cd-treated rats.
Intoxication with cadmium was also followed by significantly
increased lipid peroxide concentrations. We also observed
increased activity of antioxidant defense enzymes: copper zinc
containing superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione
peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase
as well as concentrations of non-enzymatic components of
antioxidant defense system: reduced glutathione, vitamin C and
vitamin E. Pretreatment with vitamin E exhibited a protective
role on the toxic effects of cadmium on the hematological
values, lipid peroxide concentration as well as on enzymatic and
non-enzymatic components of antioxidant defense system.
Key words
Vitamin E • Cadmium • Blood • Lipid peroxides • Antioxidant
defense system
Reprint requests
Branka I. Ognjanović, Ph.D., Institute of Biology, Faculty of
Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovića 12, P.O.
Box 60, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia, Yugoslavia. E-mail:
branka@knez.uis.kg.ac.yu
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