Hematological effects of arsenic in rats after subchronical exposure during pregnancy and lactation: the protective role of antioxidants.
Free radicals production is involved in the toxicity of arsenic. The aim of this study was to determine whether biochemical changes occurred in the blood of arsenic-exposed pups during gestation and lactation, and additionally to investigate the potential beneficial role of the administration of certain antioxidants against arsenic exposure damage. Pregnant wistar rats received the following treatments as drinking water: (1) distilled water; (2) arsenic (50 mg/L); (3) antioxidants: zinc (20 mg/L)+vitamin C (2 g/L)+vitamin E (500 mg/L); (4) arsenic (50 mg/L)+antioxidants: zinc (20 mg/L)+vitamin C (2 g/L)+vitamin E (500 mg/L). We found a normocytic and normochromic anemia as well as a significant increase in hemolysis, TBARS production and catalase activity in the blood of arsenic intoxicated pups. Moreover, this metalloid produced a significant increase of serum cholesterol, triglicerids and urea levels whereas the proteins diminished. These effects were palliated in some extent by the coadministration of vitamins and zinc. Our findings suggest that administration of antioxidants during gestation and lactation could prevent some of the negative effects of arsenic.
Dpto Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid 28040, Spain. mantonio@bio.ucm.es
Maria Teresa
MT
Antonio Garcia
Amparo
A
Herrera Dueñas
Javier
J
Pineda Pampliega
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018053:Arsenites / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*
D000975:Antioxidants; D018053:Arsenites; D001798:Blood Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C017947:sodium arsenite