Abstract:

In this study, the mice were divided into four groups (normal group, low-dosage group of sodium nitrite, middle-dosage group of sodium nitrite and high-dosage group of sodium nitrite). Spectrophotometric method was used to detect the contents of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the liver. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzyme in the liver were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The results showed that by compared with the control group, the MDA level of sodium nitrite groups is increased remarkably, the activity of ALT in sodium nitrite groups is decreased obviously (p＜0.01), and the GSH content is enhanced in sodium nitrite groups, especially in low-dosage group (p＜0.01). Meanwhile isoenzyme electrophoresis indicated that the activities of LDH and SOD are reduced following with the increase of sodium nitrite dosage. In conclusion, the hepatic tissue is damaged by acute poisoning with nitrites, and the degree of injury is aggravated following with the increase of nitrites content. The mechanism of hepatic injury may be connected with severe hypoxia and the increase of free radicals in liver.

Key words: sodium nitrite, hepatic tissue, acute poisoning, free radical