Effectiveness of zinc supplementation in containing arsenic induced acute toxicity in rat erythrocytes by modulating antioxidant defense system and hematological parameters

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that can cause adverse effects on physiological systems of animals and human beings. It is one of the major health concerns owing to its exposure through contaminated drinking water. A growing body of evidence also suggests that trace elements, in particular zinc, do exert many positive effects on a number of physiological functions. So, the current study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of zinc supplementation on rat erythrocytes during arsenic induced acute toxicity. Male Wistar rats, weighing 200–250 g were randomly segregated into four groups: Control, Arsenic treated (400 ppm), Zinc treated (227 mg/l ZnSO₄.7H₂O) and Arsenic+Zinc treated. Various investigations were undertaken to evaluate the role of zinc in conditions of arsenic induced toxicity using parameters, which included antioxidant enzymes and hematological indices. Antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation were altered in the lysates of rat erythrocytes following acute arsenic toxicity. The results clearly showed significant improvement in the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes upon zinc supplementation. Further, hematological parameters showed significant reduction in the levels of total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes following arsenic treatment, which were normalized upon zinc supplementation. The study highlights the potential role of zinc supplementation in augmenting the key indices of antioxidant defense system of erythrocytes in conditions of arsenic induced toxicity.