EFFECT OF ALUMINUM ON REGIONAL BRAIN ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE STATUS IN WISTAR RATS

This investigation gives a detailed analysis of oxidative stress condi tions generated following chronic aluminum exposure (10 mg Al/kg body weight per day) for a period of 4 weeks. We observed a significant enh ancement in the levels of lipid peroxidation at the completion of alum inum treatment. The antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalas e and glutathione peroxidase were seen to decrease following aluminum exposure. A significant decrease in the nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) g roup status was also observed along with a decreased NPSH:disulfide ra tio, thus further accentuating the oxidative insult to tissue. In vitr o addition of desferrioxamine was shown to reverse aluminum induced li pid peroxidation, suggesting the probable therapeutic role of the drug against aluminum neurotoxicity.