Assessment of the pro-oxidant activity of uranium in kidney and testis of rats

• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2006.09.004
• Publication Date: 2006-09-19T15:18:54Z
• Authors: Victoria Linares; Montserrat Bellés; M. Luisa Albina; Juan J. Sirvent; Domènec J. Sánchez; José L. Domingo
• Keywords: TBARS; Thiobarbituric acid; Glutathione reductase

The pro-oxidant activity of uranium (U) was assessed in kidney and testes of male rats, tissues in which toxic effects of this metal are well established. Eight groups of Sprague-Dawley rats received uranyl acetate dihydrate (UAD) in the drinking water at 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kgday for 3 months. Rats in four groups were concurrently subjected to restraint during 2 h/day throughout the study. Histopathological examination of the kidneys revealed an angiomatose transformation in U-treated animals. In kidney, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) activity were correlated with U exposure. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly enhanced in both kidney and testis. Oral UAD administration induced a decrease of glutathione reductase (GR) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the male reproductive tract. The results of this study suggest that graded doses of U elicit depletion of the antioxidant defence system of the rat and induce oxidative stress in testes and kidneys. Although at the current U doses, restraint stress scarcely showed additional adverse effects, its potential influence should not be underrated.