Short-term zinc deficiency in diet induces increased oxidative stress in testes and epididymis of rats.
In order to determine the effects of Zinc deficient diet on oxidative stress in testis and epididymis, various parameters viz: total proteins, lipid peroxidation, hydroperoxides, antioxidant capacity and enzymatic activities are evaluated in rats fed on zinc deficient diet for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Total proteins, water and lipid solouble antioxidant capacity decreased while lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and hydroperoxides concentration increased in testes, caput and cauda epididymis except in 2ZD (testes) where hydroperoxides revealed a significant decrease. GSH decreased in testes and caput and cauda epididymis. GPx and gamma-GT activities increased in testes and caput and cauda epididymis of zinc deficient rats. Further, GST increased in testes but exhibited decreases after 2 and 4 weeks and an increase after 6 weeks in caput and cauda epididymis of zinc deficient rats. GR activities decreased in testes but it increased in caput and cauda epididymis of zinc deficient rats. Thus, zinc deprivation results in increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. All these may have been as a consequence of increased ROS generation and/or decreased zinc dependent antioxidant processes.
Nair
N
N
Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302 004, India.
Bedwal
S
S
Prasad
S
S
Saini
M R
MR
Bedwal
R S
RS
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione; D015032:Zinc