Increased total scavenger capacity in rats fed corticosterone and cortisol on lipid-rich diet.

Abstract

Background: In our earlier studies both corticosterone and cortisol had antioxidant effect in vitro.Objectives: Our aim was to clarify whether corticosterone and cortisol oral administration results in beneficial antioxidant changes in Sprague-Dawley adult male rats in vivo.Methods: Experimental animals were fed a lipid rich diet and treated with corticosterone or cortisol in the drinking fluid. Control group was fed only lipid rich diet with untreated drinking water. The untreated group was fed a normal diet with untreated water. Total scavenger capacity (TSC) was measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in blood samples using a chemiluminometric assay.Results: Both corticosterone and cortisol treatment caused increased TSC. The control group and the untreated group showed no significant changes in TSC. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that corticosterone and cortisol administration can improve the antioxidant status not only in vitro but also in vivo.