Abstract

ARSENIC INDUCED REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND THE FATE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE SELECTED TEST TISSUES OF MALE ALBINO RAT

Bandaru Chenchurathnaiah, Vasuru Kesavulu and *Asupathri Usha Rani

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Abstract

Arsenic (atomic number 33) is the first metalloid that is naturally occurring, highly toxic environmental pollutant that exists in water, soil and food and in some types of rocks and minerals that gets released into the environment from both natural and man-made sources and identified as a human carcinogen. Absorption of arsenic is known to inhibit the activity of many enzymes including SOD, CAT, GST, GPx where the depletion of antioxidants status triggers accumulation of lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS), consequently resulting in oxidative stress. Increased formation of ROS/RNS, by generation of superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radical due to Fenton reaction occurs under depleted levels of antioxidants. Acute and chronic arsenic toxicity not only declines the antioxidants status in different tissues it leads to liver diseases, renal diseases, reproductive problems, cardiovascular diseases neurological and gastrointestinal disturbances, including various types of cancers and other health disorders. The fate of antioxidant enzymes due to arsenic toxicity is discussed in the present study.

Keywords: Liver, Kidney, Heart, Lung, Small intestine and Testis.