Barley phenolic compounds impedes oxidative stress in lead acetate intoxicated rabbits

Abstract

Kadry Mohamed Sadek

This study was conducted to explore the effects of lead acetate and barley phenolic compounds, alone or in combination, on lipid peroxidation marker and some antioxidant enzymes using a rabbit model. Rabbits were provided with drinking water containing lead acetate (500 ppm) and/or gastro-gavaged with barley phenolic compounds (250 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. Following overnight fasting, the animals were sacrificed, and the levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde and the activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase in brain, liver and kidney tissues were measured spectrophotometrically. Treatment with lead acetate significantly decreased the activities of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and the level of reduced glutathione, and it significantly increased the level of lipid peroxidation marker. Conversely, treatment with barley phenolic compounds, whether alone or in combination with lead acetate, significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of reduced glutathione, and significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation marker. The use of barley phenolic compounds were successive to ameliorate the toxic effects of lead acetate, as reflected in the decreased levels of lipid peroxidation marker and the increased antioxidant activity.