Copper-induced changes of lipid peroxidation and hemato-biochemical parameters in rat blood: Protective role of flavonoids

The effects of subchronic exposure to copper (Cu) on lipid peroxidation, hemato-biochemical parameters, and the possible protective role of flavonoids Quercetin and (-)-Epicatechin were studied. Male Wistar albino rats were treated with Cu (560 mg/L, p.o. as CuCl2?2H2O for 5 weeks) and Quercetin and (-)-Epicatechin (40 mg/kg BW each, i.p., every third day during the last 3 weeks) alone or in combination. Cu increased the concentration of lipid peroxides, decreased the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit values and increased the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. Coadministration of Quercetin and (-)-Epicatechin with Cu lowered the process of lipid peroxidation and restored examined hemato-biochemical parameters to control values. Our results indicate that Cu induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes, which led to anemia, while Quercetin and (-)-Epicatechin showed a protective effect on the hemato-biochemical processes in the blood of rats.