Effect of Vitamin E on benzene induced alterations of some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress in rat liver

Abstract

The effect of Vitamin E (1 mmol/kg body weight/day given intraperitoneally for 7 days before the administration of benzene) on benzene (500 mg/kg body weight/day in corn oil) induced alterations of some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress in rat liver was investigated. Control group was give only corn oil. Each treatment was carried out for 20 days. Results revealed that administration of benzene caused a significant increase in the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde (MDA). Whereas the levels of glucose-6 phosphatase, reduced glutathione (GSH) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase were significantly decreased compared to control animals. But in those animals which received Vitamin E therapy 7 days before being challenged with benzene, the changes in those parameters were almost statistically non-significant. This study indicated that, Vitamin E, a well known antioxidant can protect the major profiles of Carbohydrate metabolism and normal oxidative state of liver from the detrimental effects of benzene at this concentration.