Evaluation of peroxidative stress and enzymatic antioxidant activity in liver and kidney during pregnancy and lactation in rats
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Peroxidative stress was assessed through measurement of malanoaldehyde levels (MDA) and activities of enzymatic antioxidants in liver and kidney during early and late pregnancy or lactation. It was found that MDA levels in these tissues were significantly higher (P<0.001) in late pregnancy and in lactation as compared to non-pregnant control levels. The Kidney showed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than the liver during late pregnancy. SOD activity in liver and kidney, however, demonstrated a downward trend during lactation. Catalase activity in both the tissues increased gradually during pregnancy but demonstrated a decline during lactation. However, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity which declined during pregnancy was found significantly (P<0.001) elevated in late lactating periods. It is concluded that the overall peroxidative stress in liver and kidney was high in pregnancy as well as lactation. On the other hand, rise and fall in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in these tissues presented a mixed and variable trend.