Influence of antioxidants on metallothionein-mediated protection in cadmium-fed rats.
Reduced glutathione (GSH) and alpha-tocopherol offer significant protection against cadmium toxicity in rats. They mobilize cadmium from soft tissues like the liver and kidney, but not from the testis. They diminish oxidative stress by raising GSH and reducing lipid peroxidation. However, no further induction of metallothionein (MT) was observed on their treatment to cadmium-fed rats, with the exception of the kidney in the cadmium- and GSH-treated group. Involvement of regulatory domains (viz. metal responsive elements and metal transcription factor) has also been discussed. It is concluded that MT and antioxidants employ different mechanisms of protection. Genes maintaining the intracellular level of GSH seem to control the entire process of protection by these antioxidants.
Department of Zoology, Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut, India.
Rajul
R
Singh
S V S
SV
Rana
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein; D005978:Glutathione; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol