Evaluation of antioxidant activity and potential toxicity of 1-buthyltelurenyl-2-methylthioheptene

The aim of the present study was to evaluate pharmacological and toxicological properties of 1-buthyltelurenyl-2-methylthioheptene (compound 1). In vitro, compound 1 at 1 mu M was effective in reducing lipid peroxidation induced by Fe/EDTA. Compound 1 presented neither thiol peroxidase nor thiol oxidase activity and did not change delta-ALA-D (delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase) activity (10-400 mu M). Calculated LD50 of compound 1, administered by oral route, was 65.1 mu mol/kg. Rats treated with compound I did not reveal any motor impairment in the open field. Hepatic, renal and cerebral lipid peroxidation in treated rats did not differ from those in control rats. Conversely, 0.5 mu mol/kg of compound 1 decreased lipid peroxidation in spleen. delta-ALA-D activity in liver and spleen was inhibited in rats treated with the higher dose of compound 1 but no significant differences were detected in renal delta-ALA-D activity. AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) activities as well as urea and creatinine levels were increased by high doses of compound 1 (50-75 mu mol/kg). Compound I induced a significant decrease in plasma triglyceride levels but none of the doses tested changed the cholesterol level. This is a promising compound for more detailed pharmacological studies involving organotellurium compounds. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.