ITEMS

modern scholarly publishers in the finest tradition

Journals

	Search

Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology

ISSN for PRINT: 0731-8898

Institutional price:	$672.00
Issues per year:	4

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2007, Volume26

76 pages

Issue price - $187.00

The Effects of Combined α-Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, and Selenium against Cadmium Toxicity in Rat Intestine

Sehnaz Bolkent
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34459-Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey

Meral Koyuturk
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Science University, Esentepe, Istanbul, Turkey

Omur Karabulut Bulan
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34459-Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey

Sevim Tunali
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University, 34320-Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey

Refiye Yanardag
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University, 34320-Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey

Ayse Oguz Tabakoglu
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34459-Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey

ABSTRACT

In this study, the effects of combined antioxidants treatment against cadmium toxicity were investigated microscopically, immunohistochemically, and biochemically in small intestine of Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were subdivided into four groups as intact control, cadmium was administrated, and both control and cadmium groups treated with ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and selenium. Metallothionein expression was localized in the base of intestinal glands in control rats and similar expression was observed with antioxidants treatment. In cadmium-administrated rats, metallothionein expression was detected in surface epithelium, longitudinal muscle layer, meissner, and myenteric plexuses, but not in the base of intestinal gland. On the other hand, in the rats treated with antioxidants and cadmium, immunreactivity increased in the surface epithelium and in the base of intestinal glands according to cadmium-administrated rats but not changed in the plexuses and longitudinal muscle layer. Biochemically, lipid peroxidation levels increased and glutathione levels decreased significantly in intestine of the cadmium group compared to the control. Treatment with antioxidants in cadmium-administrated rats led to a decrease in lipid peroxidation levels and a significant increase in glutathione levels. As a result, the combination of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and selenium shows a protective effect against cadmium toxicity in small intestine.