Effect of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine on oxidative stress of liver and kidney in rat.

β-N-methylamino-(L)-alanine (L)-BMAA) is a neurotoxic amino acid, found in the majority of cyanbacterial genera tested. Evidence for implication of (L)-BMAA in neurodegenerative disorders, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), relies on bioaccumulation and biomagnification from symbiotic cyanobacteria. The involvement of (L)-BMAA in oxidative stress was demonstrated in several studies in the central nervous system. In the present study, we investigated the effect of (L)-BMAA on the oxidative stress responses of liver and kidney in rats treated by intraperitoneal administration with this amino acid. Oxidative stress was demonstrated by the quantification of lipid peroxidation, the measurement of both catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, as well as the quantification of glutathione (GSH) levels and the total antioxidant capacity. It was observed that (L)-BMAA caused a significant increase in the degree of lipid peroxidation and catalase activity in both organs. A significant increase in glutathione peroxidase activity was obtained only in liver, whereas glutathione levels were also increased in both organs. The total antioxidant capacity decreased in liver and increased in kidney. These results suggest that the oxidative stress was higher in liver than in kidney, and might be crucial for (L)-BMAA toxicological action.