Enhanced lipid peroxidation and inflammation during heat exposure in rats of different ages: Role of α-tocopherol

•Heat stress induced 15-KD-PGF2α and MDA changes could be predicted by IL-6 and TNF-α.•Heat stress induced changes in inflammatory markers could be prevented by α-tocopherol.•Heat stress induced changes in MDA could be prevented by α-tocopherol.

To investigate early events possibly related to the development of heat shock, we examined whether inflammatory-(interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2α) and peroxidative-(8-iso-PGF2α and malondialdehyde) markers are altered during acute heat exposure and aging. We also studied the relationships between inflammatory and peroxidative markers in these settings. In order to prevent these reactions developed as a consequence of the conditions mentioned above, we tested the effects of α-tocopherol. Our results demonstrated that 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2α and malondialdehyde in the liver were altered during acute heat exposure in the young and middle-aged rats and could be predicted by changes in the levels of circulatory cytokines. Regardless of age, the supplementation with α-tocopherol prevented changes in the plasma cytokine levels and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2α and malondialdehyde levels in the liver, during acute heat exposure. This study notably emphasized the ability of α-tocopherol to prevent different heat induced mechanisms, involved in induction of inflammatory or peroxidative reactions.