Glutathione metabolism in rats exposed to high-fluoride water and effect of Spirulina treatment

Effects of high fluoride intake through water on glutathione and related en zymatic activities in blood and liver of albino rats were studied. Twenty f our rats were divided into three groups of 8 each. Group I was given normal municipal supply water (fluoride content 0.65 ppm), Groups II and III were exposed to 12 ppm fluoride in water for 16 days. Group III was treated ora lly with Spirulina(R) (200 mg/kg bwt), a functional food rich in protein, v itamins and minerals, for study of protective effects. After 16 days of exp osure reduced and oxidised glutathione (GSH and GSSG), lipid peroxidation a nd enzymes, i.e. glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and gamma -glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma -GT) activities were measured in blood/erythrocytes and liver. There was a significant rise in blood GSSG level and a decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio, with increased lipid peroxidation in fluoride-exposed animals. A marked decreas e in GR and GST activities and an increase in gamma -glutamyl transpeptidas e activity were also noted in blood of fluoride exposed animals. In the liv er no significant changes in these variables were observed. Results indicat e oxidative stress during fluoride exposure. Spirulina treatment was benefi cial to some extent as a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin beta -carot ene.