Nicotine Alters Serum Antioxidant Profile in Male Albino Rats

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has repeatedly been implicated as the leading cause of several disease conditions. AIM: This study was designed to investigate the effects of nicotine administration on serum antioxidant levels in male albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male rats (150-180 g) were divided into five groups and treated orally for 30 days. Group I (control) received 0.2 ml/kg normal saline and Groups II and III received 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) of nicotine, respectively for 30 days. The fourth and fifth groups were administered with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg BW of nicotine for 30 days, but were left untreated for another 30 days. Serum was assayed for nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme. RESULTS: The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg nicotine treated groups. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while NO and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in 1.0 mg/kg treated group when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that nicotine administration is associated with decreased serum antioxidant and increase lipid peroxidation ameliorated by nicotine withdrawal in male rat.