Effects of heat stress on Malondialdehyde levels and catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Superoxide dismutase activity in Rattus

The present study was performed to assess the effects of heat stress on on Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of blood serum and liver in Rattus. In doing so, 15 specimens were assigned to 3 groups i.e. the control group (kept for 21 days at 24±1 C), the chronic stress group (kept for 21 days at 38±1 C), and the acute stress groups (kept for 20 days at 24±1 C+2 days at 38±1 C in four hr. intervals). At the end of the experiments 5cc cardiac blood was sampled from each specimen and oxidant/antioxidant factor levels (i.e. MDA, SOD, CAT, and GPX) were measured. Also, to measure these enzymes in liver tissue, this tissue was isolated and homogenized. The results showed that the amount of tissue malondialdehyde in all groups was significantly increased compared to its level in serum that in acute and chronic heat stress compared to the control group this increase was significant (p<0.05). This increase in serum glutathione peroxidase was also significant compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in the acute stress group compared to the control group. In conclusion, heat stress seems to induce oxidative stress in Rattus.