OBJECTIVES: HI-6 is an antidotum suitable for treatment of intoxication by nerve agents. The recent investigation appointed its modulation of inflammatory response as well as vegetative nervous system activity. However, the present experiments were carried out in order to assess the antioxidant effect of HI-6 in irradiated animals. METHODS: male Wistar rats were irradiated by ionizing radiation (7.5 Gy, LD50/30). Animals were divided into four groups: i.e. controls (A), irradiated (B), treated with HI-6 (C), and both irradiated and treated with HI-6 (D). Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione reductase activity were assayed in liver, spleen, plasma, and whole blood. Clinical biochemistry markers were determined in plasma samples. RESULTS: We found significantly increased FRAP levels in liver, while its levels decreased in the spleen of B group animals. Ionising radiation (B group) also significantly elevated TBARS values in spleen. HI-6 reversed FRAP and TBARS values to control levels. Glutathione reductase activity was significantly elevated in spleen and liver of animals exposed to HI-6 (C and D groups). Clinical biochemistry markers were shifted only slightly. The in vitro test confirmed the inhibitory effect of HI-6 towards acetylcholinesterase. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, HI-6 is potent in suppressing oxidative stress and might be a promising drug in the field of radiation protection.

Center of Advanced Studies Faculty of Military Health Sciences University of Defence Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

Tularemia progression accompanied with oxidative stress and antioxidant alteration in spleen and liver of BALB/c mice

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a target in pharmacology and toxicology