EFFECT OF ACRYLAMIDE TREATMENT ON ARGINASE ACTIVITIES AND NITRIC OXIDE LEVELS IN RAT LIVER AND KIDNEY

Aim: To evaluate the effects of acrylamide treatment on the activities of rat liver, kidney arginase activities and nitric oxide levels considering the possible induction of oxidative stress. Materials and methods: Serum aminotransferase activities, blood-urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), total nitrite concentrations and arginase activities were evaluated in groups. Histopathological analysis was performed. Results: Acrylamide treatment did not modulate liver and kidney serum markers. Hepatic MDA, GSH concentrations did not change whereas they were elevated in kidney tissues of high dose treated group (p<0.05). Arginase activity in grain liver tissue decreased (p<0.0001), but specific activity did not alter. Total nitrite concentrations increased in high dose treated group (p<0.05). In kidney, high dose of acrylamide treatment elevated activity and specific activity of arginase (p<0.05). No alteration was detected in total nitrite levels. Ultrastructural alterations were detected in epithelial cells of proximal tubules in kidney sections of the rats treated with high dose of aculamide. Conclusion: Liver seems to protect itself against acrylamide toxicity whereas, kidney can be considered as a probable target tissue for acrylamide-induced oxidative stress.