Analysis of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers in the liver of naturally infected Indian water buffalo (

The present study assessed the antioxidants and oxidative stress markers in the liver of buffalo naturally infected with cystic echinococcosis. Infected and non-infected livers were collected from the abattoir, and processed to determine the markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants. In addition, samples were also analyzed for liver tissue injury markers. A significantly higher level of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were observed in the infected liver compared to a healthy liver. On the other hand, the levels of glutathione reductase (GR) and thioredoxin reductase (TR) were significantly reduced in the infected liver compared to a healthy liver. Reduced glutathione (GSH), a key non-enzymatic antioxidant, was also decreased in the infected than in the non-infected liver. The cystic echinococcosis is accompanied by the enhanced production of ROS with subsequent elevation of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, as evident from increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC), respectively. Enhanced MDA disrupts the cell membrane leading to the release of liver injury markers AST, ALT, ACP, and ALP, which suggest liver damage. This could result from the mechanical pressure and the space-occupying affect of cystic echinococcosis cysts. In summary, our findings suggest that alteration in the level of antioxidants and oxidative stress markers may potentially serve as evidence for the oxidative stress in the liver of infected buffalo.