Antioxidants-rich Supplement Ameliorates Chromium-induced Oxidative Stress in Albino Wistar Rats

Chromium (Cr), a naturally occurring element widely used in various industries, has recently been implicated to generate free radicals by its divalent and hexavalent forms inducing oxidative states. The carcinogenicity of Cr was suggested to be through inducing oxidative stress. Supplementation with antioxidants was reported to ameliorate oxidative stress in several studies. In this study, oxidative stress was induced using 20 mg/kg K2Cr2O7 in albino Wistar rats’ groups B, C and D. After 14 days, the rats in groups C and D were treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg/body weight antioxidant-rich supplements. The serum chromium level, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and GSH, antioxidant minerals (Se, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) and vitamins (A, C, and E) concentrations, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were determined. The results showed significant (p<0.05) weight gain in all the groups. Serum Cr level decreased significantly (p< 0.05) compared to control group (B). Significant (p<0.05) increase in serum activity of enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx), concentrations of GSH, vitamins, and minerals was observed in supplemented groups C and D compared to B. MDA levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in group C compared to B. The results suggest that antioxidant-rich supplements could ameliorate chromium-induced oxidative stress.