The Effect of Iron(III) on the Activity of Selenoenzymes and Oxidative Damage in the Liver of Rats. Interaction with Natural Antioxidants and Deferiprone

Abstract

Iron is an essential element which, under certain conditions, can have prooxidant and cancerogenic effects. The effect of iron and iron chelators on the activity of selenoenzymes has been studied. Acute experiments in male Wistar rats demonstrated the prooxidant effect of iron on the selenoenzymes thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). These enzymes represent an important part of the antioxidant defense system. Deferiprone (L1) has been shown to abolish the stimulating effect of iron on lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and also to inhibit the influence of iron on the activity of TrxR and GPx. Similarly, the flavonoid quercetin abolished the influence of iron on the activity of TrxR. The activity of both selenoenzymes has also been shown to be stimulated using L1, naringin (NAR), quercetin (QUE) and myricetin (MYR) in the absence of iron. Further studies including the combination of synthetic and natural compounds (e.g., flavonoids) are being considered for their possible development and clinical use in antioxidant therapies.

Keywords:

• Iron
• Selenoenzymes
• Oxidative damage
• Thalassemia
• Deferiprone (L1)
• Antioxidants
• Naringin (NAR)
• Quercetin (QUE)
• Myricetin (MYR)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was supported by the Grant MSM 0021620819 and by the Specific Research of Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.