Oxidative effects of nickel on bone marrow and blood of rats

This study was undertaken to examine the oxidative effects of nickel (Ni) on rat blood and bone marrow. Treatment with either 100, 250, or 500 micromol/kg Ni i.p. significantly enhanced lipid peroxidation in serum and bone marrow after 24 h. The concentrations of Ni and Fe in serum and bone marrow cells were also significantly increased after NiCl2 administration. After treatment with NiCl2, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and levels of alpha-tocopherol in bone marrow cells were markedly reduced. There was an inverse association thiobarbituric acid elevated (TBA)-chromogen product with decreased GPx activity and alpha-tocopherol levels in bone marrow cells of NiCl2-treated rats. The concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in blood significant reduced with 100 and 250 micromol/kg Ni but returned to control at the 500-micromol/kg dose. Data suggest that lipid peroxidation may be a contributing factor in Ni-induced tissue oxidative stress.