Published Paper Details:

Differences on brain antioxidant profile together with accumulation of heavy metals have been evaluated in 30 day old rats of Wistar strain, subjected to a trimetallic (Cd- 5.12 mg /Kg BW ,Cr-7.06 mg / Kg BW ,Ni- 7.06 mg /Kg BW) mixture through drinking water for 30 days .Protective effect of melatonin (10mg /Kg BW ) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) ( 100 mg /Kg BW) either singly or in combination have also been tested by co- administration with metals either in the morning or evening hours. Toxicity was assessed by quantitative assay of non-enzymic (GSH, vitamin C, vitamin E ) and enzymic (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) antioxidants and tissue metal content. Increased lipid peroxidation, the significant depletion in antioxidants and accumulation of metals in the brain tissue were the noticeable observations. These effects have been related with substantial generation of free radicals induced by trimetallic combination. Treatment with protectants could successfully prevent the above metal induced alterations and the potency of melatonin in this respect was better than ALA. Further evening administrations of melatonin in combination was more effective than morning dosage. Overall it is concluded that a trimetallic exposure can result in significant oxidative stress in the neural tissue and that melatonin in combination with ALA has chronotherapeutic potential against metal induced oxidative stress.