Oxidant/antioxidant status in liver tissue of vitamin B6 deficient rats

Background and aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant function in liver tissue of vitamin B-6 deficient rats and investigate relationship among these parameters in either group. Methods: Twenty-four mate rats with a weight of 48-59 g were used for the experiment. The rats were divided into control (n = 12) and vitamin B-6 deficient groups. After 4 weeks of feeding, the rats were killed by cervical dislocation and liver tissues were removed. Biochemical measurements in liver tissue were carried out using a spectrophotometer. Results: Liver tissue antioxidant potential, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, total (enzymatic plus non-enzymatic) superoxide scavenger activity, non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activity, glutathione levels were significantly lower in vitamin B-6 deficient rats than in control group. However, liver tissue glutathione reductase activity, and MDA values were significantly higher in vitamin B6 deficient rats than in control group. Conclusions: These results explicitly indicate that vitamin B-6 deficiency causes a decrease in antioxidant defense system and an increase in oxidant stress in liver tissue in rats. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.