Response of liver antioxidant system to taurine in rats fed high fructose diet.

Fructose-fed rats were more susceptible to peroxidative damage as measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive species. The concentrations of lipid peroxides, diene conjugates, lipofuscin and hydroperoxides were significantly higher. The levels of enzymic antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in fructose-fed rats. When these rats received taurine in drinking water, peroxidative damage was minimal in both plasma and liver. Taurine was effective in inducing the antioxidant potential in fructose-fed rats. Increased peroxidative damage in liver is likely to be associated with fructose dependent pathology, which could be reduced by taurine by enhancing the antioxidant potential.

Effect of training on lipid peroxidation, thiol status and antioxidant enzymes in tissues of rats.

The effect of training on lipid peroxidation, thiol-status and certain antioxidant enzymes of glutathione system was studied in blood and tissues such as liver and skeletal muscle of rats. Exercise training was given by subjecting the rats to treadmill running. Training for a period of 6 weeks resulted in increased lipid peroxidation (P < 0.001) as indicated by thiobarbituric acid test and conjugated diene measurement in liver and muscle. Thiol levels (total and non-protein) were reduced. However, glutathione level in blood was increased and blood lipid peroxides were unaltered as a result of training compared to sedentary controls. Adaptive increases in three antioxidant enzyme activities were observed. The study indicates that training induces adaptation in the glutathione system.