CHANGES IN ERYTHROCYTE PARAMETERS OF FLUOROTIC SHEEP

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in oxidative stress parameters of erythrocytes in twenty 3-4 year-old fluorotic sheep as compared to twenty controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (mean +/- SD) were significantly elevated in erthyrocytes of the fluorotic sheep (2.51 +/- 0.16 nmol/mL) in comparison to the control sheep (1.32 +/- 0.13 nmol/mL). Erythrocyte Na+-K+ adenosine-5'-triphosphatase (Na+-K+ ATPase) activity in the fluorotic sheep (0.003 +/- 0.0005 mumol Pi/mg protein/h) was significantly lower than in the controls (0.005 +/- 0.0005 mumol Pi/mg protein/h), as was the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) (510 +/- 23.30 mU/g Hb) compared to the controls (1418 +/- 85.40 mU/g Hb). The results are explained by fluoride-induced oxidative stress reflected in elevated erythrocyte MDA levels that cause decreased enzyme activity of Na+-K+ ATPase and G6PD by affecting membrane structure.