Evaluation of the effects of Benzo[a]pyrene on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system in mice

Background: Benzo[a]pyrene, as a carcinogenic compound, can significantly induce oxidative stress and tissue damage. In this study, the effects of benzo[a]pyrene on oxidative stress parameters, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were investigated in laboratory mice. Methods: Thirty male C۵۷ mice, weighing ۱۵–۲۰ g and aged ۶ weeks, were obtained from Pasteur Institute of Iran. The animals were randomly assigned into three groups of ten: (۱) control group: received standard diet, (۲) olive oil group: received ۰.۱ mL/day of olive oil via gavage for ۴ weeks, and (۳) benzo[a]pyrene group: received ۱۰ mg/kg/day of benzo[a]pyrene dissolved in olive oil via gavage for ۴ weeks. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected from the heart under anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine. Samples were maintained at room temperature for ۲۰ minutes, then centrifuged at ۲۰۰۰ rpm for ۱۵ minutes. Serum samples were stored at −۲۰ °C until biochemical analysis. Results: Results showed that benzo[a]pyrene administration significantly increased MDA levels and decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes TAC, SOD, and GPx compared to the control group, indicating enhanced oxidative stress and associated tissue damage. The olive oil group showed similar outcomes to the benzo[a]pyrene group, with no significant differences, indicating that the observed effects were attributable to benzo[a]pyrene itself rather than the vehicle. Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that benzo[a]pyrene can markedly induce oxidative stress and reduce the activity of antioxidant defense systems in laboratory mice.

کلیدواژه ها:

Oxidative stress ، Benzo[a]pyrene ، Antioxidants ، Mice