THE CONSEQUENCES ON BLOOD GSH DYNAMICS ON WISTAR FEMALE RATS AT AD LIBITUM CHROMIUM (VI) ADMINISTRATION DURING THE GESTATION AFTER THE WEAN

Abstract

Chromium (VI) is a widely used industrial chemical, extensively used in paints, metal finishes, steel including stainless steel manufacturing, alloy cast irons, chrome, and wood treatment. In nature chromium occurs in divalent, trivalent and hexavalent forms. Hexavalent chromium predominates over the trivalent form in natural waters. We have studied the influence of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) on blood GSH values in rats. This study was carried out on 28 Wistar adult female rats, divided in 3 experimental groups (E) and one control group (C). The rats were feed with 25ppm (LOAEL), 50ppm and 75ppm potassium dichromate, ad libitum, in drinking water, during the gestation. The control batch received tap water. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was measured quantitatively after the wean using a Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer, through Beutler et al. method, at 412nm. This study reports that potassium dichromate exposure induced the depletion of blood GSH because Cr(VI) can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). It can induce oxidative stress and toxicity.

Keywords

• gsh
• potassium dichromate
• oxidative stress
• female rats