CADMIUM INTOXICATED WATER MODIFIES ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME EXPRESSION AND ACTIVITY IN THE RAT HEART

FERRAMOLA|||ML; ANTÓN|||R; ANZULOVICH|||AC; GIMENEZ|||MS

Carlos Paz, Cba.

Congreso; Reunion Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigacion Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular; 2008

Sociedad Argentina de Investigacion Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular

CADMIUM INTOXICATED WATER MODIFIES ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME EXPRESSION AND ACTIVITY IN THE RAT HEART Ferramola|||ML; Antón|||R; Anzulovich|||AC; Gimenez|||MS Laboratorio de nutrición y medio ambiente, IMIBIO-SL, CONICET, UNSL E-mail: ferramolamariana@gmail.com Cadmium-induced oxidative damage has been widely demonstrated by the increase of lipid peroxidation, and inhibition of enzymes required to prevent such oxidative damage. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Cd intoxication on the antioxidant enzymes expression and activity, in rat heart. Experimental model: Male Wistar rats were separated into four groups: 1(Controls, tap water), 2, 3 and 4(tap water with 15 ppm Cd ion, during 15, 30 and 60 days, respectively). Food and water were administered ad libitum. Afterwards, animals were decapitated, under light ether anesthesia. Samples were kept at –20 ºC, until processed. Methods: Antioxidant enzymes (GPx, CAT and SOD), and NOx expression levels were measured using RT-PCR. GPx and CAT activities were also assessed. Cd2+ levels in heart and serum were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: Cd2+ levels were elevated in heart, in groups 2, 3 and 4 (p<0,001). In serum, group 3 showed the highest levels (p<0,05). GPx and NOx expression increased in group 3 (p<0,05). SOD expression was higher in groups 2 and 3 (p<0,05). CAT expression levels weren’t modified. GPx activity diminished in groups 2, 3 and 4, while CAT activity increased in groups 3 and 4. Conclusion: Cd2+ accumulates in heart, in a short exposure time. It causes an imbalance in the antioxidant enzyme system modifying expression and activity.