It was established that the diet without chromium (0 Cr/l) accompanied by increasing of lipid hydroperoxides in all tissues of rat except spleen, and tiobarbituroacid-active products except of brain and kidney. Lack of chromium in the diet is characterized by tissuespecies change of antioxidant enzyme activity and concentration of reduced glutathione.

The impact of three different levels of dietary chromium (III) (0, 70, 140 mg Cr/l) in the form of chromium chloride on lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes were studied.

It was established that rats fed with the chromium diet-free (0 Cr/l) were characterized by enhancing of lipid peroxidation and diminishing of antioxidant enzymatic in dependence of tissues. Addition of chromium (70 - and 140 mg Cr3+/ l) to rats diet promotes inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancing of antioxidant enzyme level depending on the type of tissue.

Redox reactions are crucial for the normal functioning and integrity of cells and tissues in the organism. Excessive oxidation in cells can affect their vital functions, growth and division, induce apoptosis. Antioxidant system prevents peroxide damage of cell structures, regulates the reaction of lipid peroxidation in membranes, controls the content of active oxygen forms, free radicals and the end products of metabolism. Important regulator of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in the organism is chromium (III).

Trivalent chromium (Cr) may exhibit dual properties as antioxidant and pro-oxidant in the organism due to his participation in redox reactions. Chromium compounds interact with peroxides of lipids and reduce the level of lipid peroxidation [Vincent, 2010]. The researchers underline that supplements of CrCl3 have antioxidant properties as they reduce secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation under high levels of glucose and H2O2 in cultures of U937 monocyte cells [Jain et al., 2001]. Also it was found that Chromium acts as antioxidant during prolonged treatment of patients with type II diabetes [Cheng et al., 2004].

Literature data shows that Cr improves lipid metabolism: decreases the amount of blood cholesterol, but increases the amount of triacylglycerols, which are less oxidized due to its chemical structure [Snitynskyy et al., 1999]. There are reports that Cr deficiency can cause severe atherosclerosis and disrupt of blood lipid profile [Chen et. all. 2006, Mertz et all., 1993, Anderson et. all. 1998].

Today the mechanism of chromium impact on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system is still unknown, and the goal of our research was to study the biological manifestations of chromium deficiency and determine minimal doses of this microelement in male rats, which would affect biochemical processes of peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Keywords: rats, chromium, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system

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