Ruzica Nikolic

Protective Effects of Glutathione and Lipoic Acid against Cadmium- Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat's Kidney

Cadmium is a widespread, toxic industrial pollutant. The proximal tubule of the mammalian kidney is a major target of Cd-induced toxicity. We analyzed the effects of cadmium exposure on the model system of experimental animals, the thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substance (TBARS) level, and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) and catalase in kidney of rats, with and without glutathione and lipoic acid (LA). The experimental animals were classified into six groups, regarding cadmium, glutathione, and LA intake. The concentration of TBARSs in the homogenate was determined by spectrophotometric method according to Nabavi et al. The specific activity of XO was determined spectrophotometrically by the method of Aygul et al. Catalase activity in tissues was determined by spectrophotometric method according to Nabavi et al. The increased level of TBARS and the increased activity of XO in kidney tissue in cadmium poisoning are statistically significant compared to control (p < 0.001). Glutathione and LA applied along with cadmium lowered TBARS concentration and reduced XO activity (p < 0.001). Catalase activity in the kidney tissue was increased in the group, which was administered cadmium (p < 0.001). In conclusion, glutathione and LA, as physiological antioxidants applied with cadmium, have reduced the level of lipid peroxide and the activity of XO, and can be used as protectors in conditions of cadmium poisoning.

Monitoring the toxic effects of Pb, Cd and Cu on hematological parameters of Wistar rats and potential protective role of lipoic acid and glutathione

Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental and health problem. The negative effects of heavy metals that can enter human body can be reduced by the addition of some supplements. In this study, the effects of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) on the hematological parameters in Wistar rats in the absence and presence of lipoic acid and glutathione were analyzed. Pb, Cd and Cu intoxication significantly affected the hematological parameters of treated animals. The main effects in the case of Pb and Cd intoxication were decreased values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit (up to 30% and 20% for these two metals, respectively) compared with the control group. Cu intoxication caused decrease in hematocrit, thrombocytes, mean cell volume values (c.a. 15%) and slight decrease in the erythrocyte number, while the value of hemoglobin increased (c.a. 7%). The treatment with lipoic acid and glutathione reduced the toxic effects of these metals in all cases.

The Application of the Potentiometric Stripping Analysis to Determine Traces of M(II) Metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in Bioinorganic and Similar Materials

The development and application of new technologies in all spheres of life and work carries with it the ever-increasing pollution of the environment through harmful and toxic substances. Pesticides and heavy metals are among some of the more prominent pollutants of the environment. Heavy metals significantly contribute to human environment pollution due to the impossibility of their biodegradation, and because some of them have cumulative toxic properties. Sources of contamination by means of metals are numerous, the most important ones being combustion products in the chemical industry and metallurgy, industrial waste waters and landfills, agrochemicals, and exhaust gasses of motor vehicles. People are, therefore, exposed to toxic metals that act both directly through the contaminated air and drinking water, and indirectly through the soil, underground waters and poisoned plants and animals found in food, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Copper and zinc are essential bioelements which, in addition to their biological role and their importance for the development of the human body, also have a toxic effect when found in amounts higher than normal in the human body. Lead and cadmium are highly toxic metals, even when found only in traces (Goyer, 1997; Goyer & Klaassen, 1995). Copper is one of the essential biometals necessary for the growth, development and normal functioning of the human body, for the synthesis of hemoglobin, melanin, and the mineralization and development of bones. The lack of copper can lead to serious illnesses. Nevertheless, its presence in the human body in values greater than 10-6 mol/dm3 inhibits certain enzymes, which hinders the bonding of other essential microelements, or even leads to bonding with certain cofactors. The increased content of copper in the human body leads to coronary and vascular disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension and various forms of damage to the central nervous system (Uauy, et al., 1998; Hart, et al. 1928; Chapman, 2008). Zinc is an essential oligoelement which is found in significant amounts in the human body (0.02 – 0.03 g/kg of body weight). It is necessary for the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, DNA replication, the human reproductive ability, and maintaining high level healthy immune function. A shortage of zinc in the human body can lead to the harmful effect of