Relation between Antioxidants and Pollution on Experimental Animals

Objective: The aim of the present work is to study the protective effect of some antioxidants and trace elements against the hazardous effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on hamsters for the possibility of further application on humans. Methods: One hundred twenty hamsters weighing 104-128g were divided into 13 groups as follows: 1-Negative Control group fed standard diet, 2-positive control group given carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) only , 3-CCl4 + zinc, 4 - CCl4 + -carotene,5- CCl4 + -tocopherol,6- CCl4 + selenium, 7-CCl4 + vitamin C,8- CCl4 + zinc + - carotene, 9-CCl4 + zinc + vitamin C , 10-CCl4 + zinc + -tocopheral,11-CCl4 + selenium + -carotene, 12-CCl4 + selenium + vitamin C and 13-CCl4 + selenium + -tocopheral. Results: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) has a direct toxic effect on liver and kidney. Depending on biochemical results, the more antioxidants of liver protection against CCl4 toxicity are tocopherol, followed by selenium, selenium + - carotene, vitamin C, zinc + - carotene and selenium + tocopherol. The more antioxidant for kidney protection against CCl4 toxicity is -carotene followed by selenium, zinc + - carotene, zinc + tocopherol, and zinc + vitamin C. Conclusion: Trace elements should not be given individually especially zinc or selenium as deleterious effects, in spite of its protective effect.