Role of free radicals and apoptosis in arsenic toxicity in Wistar rats Singh Bandana1, Singh N.D.1,*, Devi L. Geeta1, Banga H.S.1, Mahajan V.1 1Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141004, Punjab, India *Corresponding author: drndsingh@gmail.com
Abstract The present study was conducted to study the role of oxidative stress and apoptosis in induced arsenic toxicity, when given at the same level at which it is found in drinking water in different parts of India. Young male and female Wistar rats were randomly divided in four groups viz. I, II, III, and IV and were given sodium arsenite at a dose rate of 0.01mg/l, 2.5mg/l, 5mg/l and distilled water, respectively. The animals were fed arsenic for a period of 15 weeks. The tissue oxidative stress-related biochemical parameters in testes, kidneys, livers, ovary and brains, nitrotyrosine staining and apoptosis changes were recorded in male and female rats. The level of lipid peroxidation was increased and superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were decreased significantly in a dose dependent manner. The nitrotyrosine and caspase 3 immunostaining was done to assess oxidative stress and apoptosis, respectively. It was concluded that even in very minute quantity arsenic generates free radicals and induces apoptosis which may cause damage to vital organs of the body. Top Keywords Apoptosis, Arsenic, Nitrotyrosine, Oxidative stress, Wistar rats. Top |