Evaluation of erythrocyte antioxidant mechanisms: antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and serum trace elements associated with progressive anemia in ovine malignant theileriosis

Abstract

Ovine malignant theileriosis is a fatal disease that is characterized by severe progressive anemia. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in anemia, this study was designed to assess the antioxidant status and erythrocyte oxidative injuries in Iranian fat-tailed sheep that suffered from malignant theileriosis. The infected animals (infected group), composed of 50 Iranian sheep about 1-2 years old, naturally infected with Theileria sp., were divided into three subgroups according to parasitemia rates (<1%, 1-3%, 3-5%), and ten non-infected animals were also selected as the control group. Blood samples were taken and hematological parameters, the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, and serum concentrations of some trace elements (copper, iron, zinc, manganese, and selenium), were measured. As an index of lipid peroxidation, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was also determined. According to the results, a significant decrease in red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume, the activities of SOD, GPX, and catalase (P <0.001), and also serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se (P < 0.05) were evident in the infected sheep. In contrast, significantly increased levels of MDA and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (P < 0.001) as well as serum concentration of iron (P < 0.05) were recorded in the infected animals. The significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and substantial elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte osmotic fragility associated with the increase in parasitemia indicate increased exposure of RBCs to oxidative damage. Also, it appears that disturbed antioxidant defense mechanisms can promote the development of anemia in ovine theileriosis.

Malignant ovine theileriosis: serum concentrations of some inflammatory components and adenosine deaminase activity

“…This finding has been previously indicated in ovine (Nazifi et al 2011) and bovine theileriosis (Schnittger et al 2000;Razavi et al 2010). Some preceding researches have attributed the erythrocytes destruction to the function of macrophages in the lymph nodes, spleen and other organs capturing the infected RBCs (Singh et al 2001).…”

“…Some preceding researches have attributed the erythrocytes destruction to the function of macrophages in the lymph nodes, spleen and other organs capturing the infected RBCs (Singh et al 2001). However, more recent studies indicate that anaemia is a consequence of the parasite interference with protective antioxidant mechanisms of RBCs which enhance the susceptibility of erythrocytes to be lysed (Nazifi et al 2011).…”

Copper and Zinc, Biological Role and Significance of Copper/Zinc Imbalance

“…The significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and substantial elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte osmotic fragility associated with the increase in parasitemia indicate increased exposure of red blood cells to oxidative stress. It appeared that disturbed antioxidant defense mechanisms can promote the development of anemia in ovine theileriosis [174].…”

Evaluation of Erythrocytes Antioxidant Mechanisms in Bovine Babesiosis and Current Advances Treatment in Kaliobea Governorat

“…Babesia showed clean changes in the oxidant, antioxidant markers in blood and increased value of oxidative markers have been implicated in tissue damage and development of chronic diseases [28]. Infected animals with theileriosis showed significant decrease in activities of antioxidant enzymes as SOD, GSH-PX and serum concentration of Cu were evident in the infected animals in contrast, significantly increase level of MDA [29]. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the most important antioxidant enzymes present in all oxygen metabolizing cells this enzyme eliminates toxins From body [31].…”