Evaluation of oxidant and antioxidant status in naturally infected Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with liver cystic echinococcosis

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the changes in the antioxidants and oxidant status of buffalo, naturally infected with cystic echinococcosis. Infected and non-infected livers were used to determine the level of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant and pathological marker enzymes. A significantly higher level of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), while a significantly low level of glutathione reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductase (TR) was observed in the parasitized than the healthy liver. Reduced glutathione (GSH), a key non-enzymatic antioxidant, was found less in the infected than in the non-infected liver. The hydatid cysts infection is accompanied by the enhanced production of ROS with subsequent elevation of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, as evident from increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) respectively. Enhanced MDA disrupts the cell membrane leading to the release of marker enzymes (AST, ALT, ACP, and ALP) of liver damage due to mechanical pressure and the space-occupying affect of hydatid cysts. Alteration in the level of antioxidants and oxidative stress markers provide reliable evidence for the circulating oxidative stress in the infected buffalo