Effect of Vitamin E on benzene induced alterations of some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress in rat liver

The effect of Vitamin E (1 mmol/kg body weight/day given intraperitoneally for 7 days beforethe administration of benzene) on benzene (500 mg/kg body weight/day in corn oil) induced alterationsof some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress in rat liver was investigated. Controlgroup was give only corn oil. Each treatment was carried out for 20 days. Results revealed thatadministration of benzene caused a significant increase in the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),Lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde (MDA). Whereas the levels of glucose–6 phosphatase, reducedglutathione (GSH) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase were significantly decreased compared tocontrol animals. But in those animals which received Vitamin E therapy 7 days before being challengedwith benzene, the changes in those parameters were almost statistically non-significant. This studyindicated that, Vitamin E, a well known antioxidant can protect the major profiles of Carbohydratemetabolism and normal oxidative state of liver from the detrimental effects of benzene at thisconcentration.