The effects of sulfite on cPLA₂, caspase-3, oxidative stress and locomotor activity in rats

Sulfite is a commonly used preservative in food products, alcoholic beverages and pharmaceutical products. We investigated the effect of sulfite, on locomotor activity as well as the relationship of these effects with oxidant and antioxidant capacities, cPLA2 enzyme activity. Thirty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups as control(C) and sulfite(S). Animals in the S group were given freshly prepared sulfite for 35 days via gastric gavage (100 mg/kg/day) while the C group received equal volumes of distilled water via gavage for the same period. Open-field tests were performed to all groups and animals were sacrificed. Total antioxidant capacity(TAC), TBARS levels, cPLA2 activity as well as amount of caspase-3 positive cells were analyzed on the hippocampi. In the open field test, distance and velocity values of the S group increased with respect to controls. TBARS and cPLA2 activity were also increased in the S group, while levels of TAC decreased compared to controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that sulfite ingestion caused an increase in the amount of hippocampal caspase-3 positive cells. In conclusion, sulfite seemed to increase locomotor activity. cPLA2 might play a role in ingested sulfite-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in the hippocampus.