This study was designed to determine the oxidative stress induced by
nickel sulfate in the liver in the
protein-deficient rats.
Nickel sulfate in the dose of 800 mg/L in
drinking water was administrated to Sprauge Dawley (SD) rats as well as
protein-deficient rats for a total duration of 8 weeks. The effects of
nickel treatment and
protein deficiency separately and in combination were studied on rat liver
antioxidant defense system
enzymes like
catalase,
glutathione peroxidase (GPX),
glutathione reductase (GR),
superoxide dismutase (SOD),
reduced glutathione (GSH), and
glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as on lipid peroxidation (LPO). The investigations revealed a significant increase in the activity of
enzymes, which include
catalase, Gpx, GR and GST, and in the levels with LPO following
nickel treatment in combination with
protein deficiency. On the contrary, feeding to control rats resulted in a significant depression in the levels of SOD and GSH. However,
nickel treatment to normal rats caused a significant increase in the activity of
enzymes catalase and GST and in the levels of LPO, whereas the levels of GSH get significantly depressed. Further,
nickel treatment to
protein-deficient rats did not cause any additional alteration in the status of liver
antioxidants as were observed in conditions of
protein deficiency.