Ethanol in lactation promotes oxidative stress in different phases of rat offspring

SummaryBackgroud & aimsTo evaluate the effect of ethanol on body weight and biomarkers of oxidative stress such as the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of lipoperoxidation (TBARS) in blood and liver of rat offspring.MethodsOffspring (n = 36) of adult Wistar rats in a Control Group (CG; n = 3) and in an Experimental Group (EG; n = 3) were randomized in phases of lactation, young and adult (n = 6 rats/group). Controls received water ad libitum while EG received water with 20% ethanol during 12 days of lactation.ResultsComparing EG to CG, there was lower weight gain in lactation and young (p < 0.001), in young and adults decreases of SOD (p = 0.018, p < 0.001, respectively), of GST in blood of young (p < 0.001), GST, GPx and CAT activities in liver of young (p = 0.008, p = 0.008, p = 0.004, respectively) and adults (p < 0.001, p = 0.017, p = 0.053, respectively) were found.ConclusionsThe maternal consumption of ethanol during lactation caused lower body weight gain in lactation and young offspring groups, normalizing in adults, as well as decreases in the activity of SOD in blood and in GST, GPx and CAT in liver of young and adults.