Protein Carbonyl, Lipid Peroxidation, Glutathione and Enzymatic Antioxidant Status in Male Wistar Brain Sub-regions After Dietary Copper Deficiency

Copper a quintessential transitional metal is required for development and function of normal brain and its deficiency has been associated with impairments in brain function. The present study investigates the effects of dietary copper deficiency on brain sub-regions of male Wistar rats for 2-, 4- and 6-week. Pre-pubertal rats were divided into four groups: negative control (NC), copper control (CC), pairfed (PF) and copper deficient (CD). In brain sub regions total protein concentration, glutathione concentration and Cu-Zn SOD activity were down regulated after 2-, 4- and 6 weeks compared to controls and PF groups. Significant increase in brain sub regions was observed in protein carbonyl and lipid peroxidation concentration as well as total SOD, Mn SOD and catalase activities after 2-, 4- and 6 weeks of dietary copper deficiency. Experimental evidences indicate that impaired copper homeostasis has the potential to generate reactive oxygen species enhancing the susceptibility to oxidative stress by inducing up- and down-regulation of non-enzymatic and enzymatic profile studied in brain sub regions causing loss of their normal function which can consequently lead to deterioration of cell structure and death if copper deficiency is prolonged.