Effect of α-tocopherol supplementation in chelation treatment on oxidative stress indices in erythrocytes of lead exposed calves

This study examined the possibility that supplementation of alpha-tocopherol with chelator calcium disodium EDTA in the treatment of lead toxicity could reverse the lead-induced changes in the oxidative stress indices in the erythrocytes from lead exposed calves. One-month-old crossbred calves (15), were given lead daily @ 7.5 mg of 99% pure lead acetate/kg body weight orally for 28 day (group B), keeping another 5 calves as unexposed controls (group A). The lead-exposed calves were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. Calves of group B-1 were given no treatment to serve as positive controls. Those of group B-2 were treated with 10% solution CaNa(2)EDTA @ 110 mg/kg body weight in 2 divided doses daily through intravenous route for 4 days. Calves of group B-3 were given the same treatment as that in group B-2 together with alpha-tocoplierol @ 100 mg/kg body weight orally daily for 7 days. Increase in the blood lead concentration was asassociated with alpha-significant increase in lipid peroxides level and nonsignificant decreases in the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the erythrocytes. Irrespective of treatments, lipid peroxide levels returned to normalcy by day 2 of the start of the treatment. A significant increase in the erythrocytic catalase activity. compared to respective day 0 value was observed by day 4 of the start of the treatment, in group B-2 and by day 2 in group B-3. It was concluded that supplementation of alpha-tocopherol in chelation therapy had no significant effect on lipid pet-oxide level and activities of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes from lead-exposed calves.