Antioxidant status and hepatic lipid peroxidation in chloramphenicol-treated rats

The present study reports the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation in chloramphenicol treated rats. Chloramphenicol at a dose of 28 mg/kg body weight orally administered to rats increased the activity of cytosolic superoxide dismutase by 63% while the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were decreased by 57% and 44%, respectively. In vitro, chloramphenicol altered the activities of these enzymes though not as pronounced as the effect of the drug on the enzymes in vivo. The levels of serum vitamins A, C and beta-carotene were significantly decreased following chloramphenicol treatment. Microsomal lipid peroxidation was markedly and significantly increased by chloramphenicol treatment. The drug elicited 69% and 71% increases in the levels of malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide respectively. Glutathione level and glutathione S-transferase activity were decreased by 42% and 58%, respectively, compared to untreated controls. Overall, the results of the present investigation indicate alteration of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant status and induction of lipid peroxidation by chloramphenicol. The clinical implications in the detoxification of toxic metabolites of lipid peroxidation caused by chloramphenicol warrant co-administration with antioxidant vitamins in chloramphenicol treatment regimen.