Arsenic-Induced Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Tissue of Rats: Synergistic Effects of Folic Acid and Vitamin B\(_{12}\)

Abstract

The objective of the article is to elucidate the effects of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ individually or in combination on oxidative stress biomarkers in cardiac tissue of rats. Additive beneficial effect of vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid against arsenic-induced oxidative stress in myocardial tissue was found in male Wistar rats. NaAsO₂ exposure at a dose of 6 mg (i.p.)/kg b.w./day for one month exhibited significant decline in cardiac glutathione content associated with increased malondialdehyde production. Certain antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase were inhibited after arsenic exposure. Moreover, arsenic treatment significantly increased the nitric oxide production in cardiac tissue of rats. Folic acid (50 \(\mu\)g/kg b.w./day) and vitamin B₁₂ (1 \(\mu\)g/kg b.w. /day) alone or in combination for the last 2 weeks of arsenic treatment exhibited distinct protective efficacies against arsenic mediated oxidative damage. It was further noted that combined exposure of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ exhibited synergistic beneficial effects against arsenic-induced oxidative stress in myocardial tissue.