Oxidative stress in the central nervous system of iron-deficient females

Abstract

Iron deficiency is a worldwide public health problem associated with behavioral and cognitive disturbances. These disturbances are irreversible if not treated during the perinatal period. Iron is a structural part of several proteins, such as the antioxidant enzyme catalase. It has been shown that females are less susceptible to oxidative stress. However, the levels of oxidative stress at the central system in the presence of chronic iron deficiency or post-weaning supplementation are unknown. Objective: to determine the levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in females with chronic iron deficiency, untreated or treated with iron supplementation. Methodology: female Wistar rats with chronic iron deficiency and rats supplemented from weaning to adulthood (70 postnatal days) were euthanized to analyze brain tissue and determine oxidative stress through lipid peroxidation; and antioxidant effect by superoxide dismutase, catalase and total proteins. Contribution: in the presence of chronic iron deficiency, lipid peroxidation levels at the central system are so high that they cannot be counteracted by superoxide dismutase or catalase. However, postnatal supplementation prevents lipid peroxidation from being altered due to the high production of iron-induced antioxidant defense.