MODERATE ZINC DEFICIENCY AND ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEMS IN RAT EPIDIDYMIS

FERNANDEZ MR, BIAGGIO VS, PEREZ CHACA MV, GOMEZ NN, GIMENEZMS

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Sociedad Argentina de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2007

Sociedad Argentina de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB)

The induction of high levels of ROS subjects the cell to a state of oxidative stress, which may damage tissues. In previous studies we have analyzed the change in activities of antioxidant defense system under a moderate zinc deficiency. In all cases we obtained differences in epididymis in the Zinc deficiency (ZD) group. Here we present the effect of Zinc deficiency on level of NADPHoxidase (NOX-2), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD-2) and Catalase (CAT) expression and histology in caput epididymis.Wistar male rats (200 ± 20 g), were separated in three groups: (Co) with 30 mg/kg of zinc in the diet, (ZD) with 5mg/kg of zinc and (ZD refed) with 5mg/kg of zinc, this group was refed during 10 days (Ral). Total mRNA was isolated from tissue by using TRIzol.Aliquots of 2 ìg ofcDNAwere used in the amplifications byPCRusing specific primers. Beta actin was used as internal control. Pieces of caput epididymis were processed for light microscopy. In epididymal caput Nox, SOD-2 and CAT increased in ZD vs Co (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively) and Ral vs Co increased (p<0.01) in SOD-2. Epididymal caput region shows clear signs of injury presumably as consequence of oxidative damage. The expression of antioxidant enzymes is correlated with their activities as adaptive responses against oxidative stress and this situation is reflected in the histoarchitecture of epididymis.