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Cr(VI) Induces Lipid Peroxidation, Protein Oxidation and Alters the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Human Erythrocytes

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Abstract

The effect of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), a hexavalent chromium compound, on human erythrocytes was studied under in vitro conditions. Incubation of erythrocytes with different concentrations of K2Cr2O7 resulted in marked hemolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. K2Cr2O7 treatment also caused significant increase in protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and decrease in total sulfhydryl content, indicating that it causes oxidative stress in human erythrocytes. However, there was no concomitant nitrosative stress as the nitric oxide levels in hemolysates from K2Cr2O7-treated erythrocytes were lower than in control. Exposure of erythrocytes to K2Cr2O7 decreased the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase, whereas the activities of Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase were increased. These results show that K2Cr2O7 induces oxidative stress and alters the antioxidant defense mechanism of human erythrocytes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Mir Kaisar Ahmad, Syed Syma & Riaz Mahmood

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  1. Mir Kaisar Ahmad
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  2. Syed Syma
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  3. Riaz Mahmood
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Correspondence to Riaz Mahmood.

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Ahmad, M.K., Syma, S. & Mahmood, R. Cr(VI) Induces Lipid Peroxidation, Protein Oxidation and Alters the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Human Erythrocytes. Biol Trace Elem Res 144, 426–435 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9119-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9119-5

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