Short term effect of zinc administration on some biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzymes in albino rats

Abstract

Zinc is an essential trace element exerting important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic effects, and is capable of influencing molecular functioin as well as signal transduction. It is used as a supplement for the treatment of diarrhoea. This study was conceived to evaluate the short term effect of zinc administration on some biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzymes in albino rats. Sixteen (16) albino rats (both sexes) were allocated randomly into four experimental groups of four rats each. One group served as the control and were given distilled water. The three experimental groups were administered with 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight of Zn respectively for 14 consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed on the 15th day and blood was collected for liver and kidney function parameters, antioxidant enzymes activities and malondialdehyde concentration using standard procedures. The concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) significantly increase (p < 0.05) while aspartate transferase (AST) significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner when compared with the control group. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in creatinine, a significant increase in potassium and no significant difference in serum urea level when compared with the control group. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase significantly increased while MDA significantly decreased when compared with the control group. Increase in ALT suggests an improvement in the activities of these enzymes while increased potassium level is an indication of kidney dysfunction. Increased antioxidant enzymes and decreased MDA may suggest that zinc improved antioxidant status and decrease free radical generation. From the study, it may be suggested that zinc improved the activities of liver biomakers and antioxidant enzymes. It is therefore recommended that more studies be carried out in establishing the effect of zinc for prolonged usage, at larger doses on other organs.

Keywords

• zinc
• biochemical parameters
• antioxidant enzymes

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