Pyridoxine Deficiency-Associated Peroxidative Changes in Rats and the Salubrious Effects of Structurally Related Triterpenes

Abstract

Pyridoxine-deficient rats showed increased lipid peroxidation in the kidney when compared with control rats, and the lipid peroxidation was enhanced in the presence of inducers such as ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide. Pyridoxine-deficient kidney showed decreased levels of enzymic antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and non-enzymic antioxidants including ascorbate, glutathione and vitamin E. Treatment with the triterpenes—betulin and lupeol—restored the levels to normal, the latter being more effective in bringing about the changes.