Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2001, 194 (2)

Antioxidant Status and Hepatic Lipid Peroxidation in Chloramphenicol-Treated Rats

E. OLATUNDE FAROMBI

Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department ofBiochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

The present study reports the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation in chloramphenicol treated rats. Chloramphenicol at a dose of 28 mg/kg body weight orally administered to rats increased the activity of cytosolic superoxide dismutase by 63% while the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were decreased by 57% and 44%, respectively. In vitro, chloramphenicol altered the activities of these enzymes though not as pronounced as the effect of the drug on the enzymes in vivo. The levels of serum vitamins A, C and b-carotene were significantly decreased following chloramphenicol treatment. Microsomal lipid peroxidation was markedly and significantly increased by chloramphenicol treatment. The drug elicited 69% and 71% increases in the levels of malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide respectively. Glutathione level and glutathione S-transferase activity were decreased by 42% and 58%, respectively, compared to untreated controls. Overall, the results of the present investigation indicate alteration of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and induction of lipid peroxidation by chloramphenicol. The clinical implications in the detoxification of toxic metabolites of lipid peroxidation caused by chloramphenicol warrant co-administration with antioxidant vitamins in chloramphenicol treatment regimen.

Keywords —— antioxidant status; lipid peroxidation; chloramphenicol; non-enzymic antioxidants; enzymic antioxidants

© 2001 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2001, 194, 91-98

Address for reprints: Dr. E. Olatunde Farombi, Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

e-mail: ofarombi@ibadan.skannet.com