Blood Antioxidant/Oxidant Parameters in Rats Experimentally Infected with Fasciola Hepatica and Exposed to Cadmium

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant/oxidant status of blood of rats experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica combined with chronic cadmium administration. Parameters of antioxidant/oxidant status were malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in blood of rats experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica. The level of cadmium (Cd) was determined as well. The data showed that oxidative/antioxidative imbalance was developed due to an increased MDA level, reduced enzyme activity in double treated animals compared to control animals and these with only one treatment. Cd level was significantly increased in all rats received Cd (non-infected or infected with F. hepatica). Our study leads us to conclude that co-exposure to Cd and helminths causes a more pronounced increase in the blood oxidative stress in the hosts.