NITROFURANTOIN-INDUCED HEPATIC AND PULMONARY BIOCHEMICAL-CHANGES IN MICE FED DIFFERENT VITAMIN-E DOSES

The hepatic and pulmonary effects of nitrofurantoin (40 mg/kg, intrape ritoneally) were determined at 4 and 24 hr following its administratio n in mice fed for 10 weeks with a vitamin E sufficient, deficient or e nriched diet. Liver glutathione (GSH) was reduced by nitrofurantoin at 4 hr but was unchanged 20 hr later. Nitrofurantoin did not affect liv er glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase or superoxide dismuta se activities. Liver catalase activities were decreased by nitrofurant oin at 4 hr. Lung GSH levels were increased whilst glutathione peroxid ase activity was decreased at 4 and 24 hr. Lung glutathione reductase activity was reduced in certain groups. Nitrofurantoin did not affect lung superoxide dismutase, but catalase was decreased at 24 hr. Liver malondialdehyde levels were increased by nitrofurantoin in the vitamin E deficient group whilst lung malondialdehyde levels remained unchang ed. Both liver and lung malondialdehyde levels were unaffected by vita min E supplementation when compared to the vitamin E-sufficient group These results suggest that nitrofurantoin (40 mg/kg) was deleterious t o the liver and lung. Nitrofurantoin-induced lipid peroxidation was se en in vitamin E deficiency but an increase in dietary vitamin E conten t did not provide additional protection compared to the recommended da ily allowance. The antioxidant acitivities of alpha-tocopherol and gam ma-enriched tocotrienol were similar.