Cold stress-induced lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense in tissues of the common Indian toad, Bufo melanostictus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to short-term cold stress (30 min at 0-4°C) on lipid peroxidation and the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system in liver, kidney and brain tissues of an ectothermic animal, the common Indian toad, Bufo melanostictus. Cold stress resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in terms of TBARS formed in the liver, kidney and brain tissues, indicating increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Elevated levels of GSH measured in the liver, kidney and brain tissues of cold-stressed animals were probably due to an increased requirement for antioxidant defenses to meet the elevated peroxidative challenge. The observed decrease in ascorbic acid content may be due to its increased consumption and/or decreased synthesis following cold stress. Similarly, increased uric acid content in kidney and brain tissue following cold exposure and its decrease in liver tissue indicates that the effect of cold stress on the antioxidant system is both tissue-specific and dependent on the extent of cold exposure. Cold stress results in increased ROS production causing lipid peroxidation and compensatory alterations in the nonenzymatic antioxidant status in different tissues.