Effect of Sulfite Treatment on Total Antioxidant Capacity, Total Oxidant Status, Lipid Hydroperoxide and Total Free Sulphydryl Groups Contents In Normal and Sulfite Oxidase Deficient Rats Plasma.

Sulfites, which are commonly used as preservatives, are continuously formed in the body during metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids. Sulfite oxidase (SOX) is an essential enzyme in the pathway of the oxidative degradation of sulfite to sulfate protecting cells from sulfite toxicity. This article investigated the effect of sulfite on Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Lipid Hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total free sulphydryl groups (-SH) contents in normal and sulfite oxidase (SOX) deficient male albino rats' plasma. For this purpose rats were divided into four groups: control (C), sulfite treated (S), SOX-deficient (D), and sulfite treated SOX-deficient (DS) groups. Sulfite oxidase deficiency was established by feeding rats a low molybdenum diet and adding to their drinking water 200 ppm tungsten (W). Sulfite (70 mg/kg) was administered to the animals via their drinking water. SOX deficiency together with sulfite treatment caused a significant increase on the plasma LOOH and total oxidant status levels. -SH content of rats plasma significantly decreased by both sulfite treatment and SOX deficiency compared to the control. There was also significant decrease in plasma TAC level by sulfite treatment. In conclusion, sulfite treatment affects the antioxidant/oxidant balance of the plasma cells of the rats toward oxidants in SOX deficient groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]