Long-term vitamin A supplementation at therapeutic doses induces mitochondrial electrons transfer chain (METC) impairment and increased mitochondrial membrane-enriched fraction (MMEF) 3-nitrotyrosine on rat heart

Free Radic Res. 2010 May;44(5):505-12. doi: 10.3109/10715761003636849.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare electrons flux and oxidative/nitrosative stress parameters on the heart among rats supplemented with vitamin A and one not supplemented long-term. Vitamin A has important roles for the cardiovascular system as well as antioxidant properties. However, pro-oxidant properties have been reported. Male adult rats were treated with four different doses of retinyl palmitate (1000-9000 IU/Kg/day) or saline (control) for 28 days and the heart was removed for analysis. Electrons flux and oxidative/nitrosative stress parameters were evaluated and statistics were conducted with Anova one-way followed by Dunnet's post hoc and significance level of p<0.05. The supplementation induced increase on lipids/proteins oxidation and mitochondrial 3-nitrotyrosine content, an imbalance on enzymatic activity and a decrease on respiratory chain complexes activities. The results suggest that vitamin A induces oxidative/nitrosative stress and mitochondrial impairment on a cardiac level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electron Transport / drug effects
  • Electron Transport Complex I / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex II / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex III / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria, Heart / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Rats
  • Time Factors
  • Tyrosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tyrosine / analysis
  • Tyrosine / metabolism
  • Vitamin A / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin A / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Vitamin A
  • 3-nitrotyrosine
  • Tyrosine
  • Electron Transport Complex II
  • Electron Transport Complex I
  • Electron Transport Complex III