EFFECT OF Di-n-BUTYL PHTHALATE ON THE EPIDIDYMAL ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM OF WISTAR RATS
The study evaluates the effect of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, on epididymal antioxidant system of Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats were orally administered DBP (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/ kg b.wt) for 7 days. Body weight increased significantly while caput and cauda epididymal weight decreased. Significant reduction in total protein concentration, lipid soluble antioxidant capacity and vitamin E levels were observed. Water soluble antioxidant activity decreased in caput epididymis at all dose level while it increased significantly in cauda epididymis. A dose dependent increase in lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxides and ascorbic acid levels has been observed. The results strongly suggests that enhanced lipid peroxidation and lipid hydroperoxides in caput and cauda epididymis is indicative of disruption of membrane fluidity and integrity which may partly be responsible for alteration in total antioxidant capacity and primary defense system-ascorbic acid and vitamin E. In fact, it is an imbalance between the generation and neutralization of reactive oxygen species which leads to epididymal oxidative stress which may be partly responsible...
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