Dn. Pahuja et al., THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN THE MODULATION OF THE HEPATIC ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE SYSTEM, Journal of trace elements and electrolytes in health and disease, 7(2), 1993, pp. 71-74
A normocalcemic animal model of vitamin D (vit. D) - deficiency has be
en successfully developed by feeding a high calcium (Ca2+) diet to vit
. D. - deficient rats. The modulating role of Ca2+ on the hepatic anti
oxidant defence system and lipid peroxidation has been evaluated in th
is model. Partial restoration of liver function was noted in these rat
s following extra Ca2+ feeding. Serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine
aminotransferase reverted to a normal level. The reduced levels of he
patic SOD and glutathione peroxidase in vit. D. - deficient rats, were
also increased after extra Ca2+ supplementation. Even elevated lipid
peroxidation due to vit. D. - deficiency was reduced after feeding the
extra Ca2+-supplemented diet. However, catalase activity remained at
the control level throughout the study. The results provide important
evidence that normocalcemia is essential for maintaining the he tic an
tioxidant defence and controlling lipid peroxidation in the in vivo mi
lieu.