[Retinol level, superoxide dismutase activity and the degree of lipid peroxidation in rats with drug-induced collagenosis].

The retinol effect on symptoms of late toxicity of hydralazine in rats of Wistar strain during induction of the collagenosis-like syndrome has been studied. Studies have been performed during 360 days, and examination were done in three months lasting intervals. Animals were divided into 3 groups: the first was treated with hydralazine, the second with hydralazine plus retinol, and the third corresponded to the control group. It has been stated that the long-term administration of hydralazine caused the lowering of the retinol level in the serum and liver progressing according to the time of the drug use. The mean lowering of the retinol concentration for animals of the first group was 20.7% in the serum and 24.7% in the liver. Analogous results in the second group were 12.1% and 14.7%, respectively. Simultaneously activity of superoxide dismutase measured in the kidney and heart muscle homogenates was significantly lowered in animals receiving hydralazine solely. Retinol administered together with hydralazine caused an increase in the enzyme activity (about 30%) when compare with animals treated only with hydralazine. The lowering of the retinol level and of dismutase activity caused beneficial conditions for increased lipid peroxidation measured by an increase in the malonic aldehyde concentration. The concentration of malonic dialdehyde in kidneys of rats treated solely with hydralazine increased about twofold, and in the heart muscle about 3.5-fold. The supplementation of the diet with retinol in rats treated solely with hydralazine partially limited effects of enhanced free radical activity reflected in increased lipid peroxidation.