Oxidative Stress and Changes in Antioxidative Defence System in Erythrocytes of Female Rats Exposed to 2, 5-Hexanedione

• E.O Farombi

Exposure to xenobiotics such as 2,5-Hexanedione (2,5-HD) can cause oxidative stress in the erythrocytes. 2,5-Hexanedione is a neurotoxic metabolite of n-Hexane widely used as solvent in several industries. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of 2,5-HD on the oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in the erythrocytes of female Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into four study groups of eight (8) rats per group. The control group was administered only tap water, while the remaining three groups were exposed to 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0% 2,5-HD respectively. Thereafter, markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system were assayed in the erythrocytes. Results indicated elevated concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the 2,5-HD-treated rats compared with the control (p < 0.05). In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared with the control. These results imply that treatment of female rats with 2,5-HD for 21 days is accompanied by induction of oxidative stress and changes in the antioxidative defence system of the erythrocytes.

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