The effects of copper application on oxidative and antioxidant systems in rats

Abstract

Oxidative damage of copper has been reported in recent studies, even though its necessity for an organism as a trace element exists. Present study has been planned to determine the oxidative effects of copper on blood and the defense system. While nine controls Wistar-Albino type rats were being fed with normal diet and water, experimental animals were fed by normal fodder but received copper in their drinking water for nine weeks. After experimental period, serum copper concentrations, erythrocyte SOD activity, GSH concentrations and plasma MDA concentrations were measured in both groups. MDA concentrations and SOD activities of in experimental group were found higher than in controls (p < 0.05) and GSH concentration in experimental group was found to be lower than in control group animals (p < 0.05). It could be argued that copper application might have increased the SOD activity and lipid peroxidation and decreased the GSH levels.