Effect of cadmium on antioxidant status in alloxane-induced diabetic rats.

Fifty-two healthy Swiss Male Albino rats aged two mo were used in this study. They were divided into four groups: control (C), diabetic (D), cadmium (Cd), and diabetic + Cd (D + Cd) groups. Diabetic condition was induced in D and D + Cd groups by administration of alloxane (5 mg/100 g). After this treatment, Cd and D + Cd groups were injected with CdCl2 i.p. (2 mg/kg/wk). At the end of the 2-mo experimental period, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), plasma and erythrocyte selenium (Se), plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp), and vitamin E (vit E) were determined in four groups of rats. The erythrocyte Se was lower in the experimental groups than in the controls. Plasma Se was significantly decreased in the D and D + Cd groups compared with the control group. Plasma Cp was unaltered. Plasma vit E was significantly decreased in Cd group in comparison with the C, D, and D+Cd groups.