Chromium picolinate prevents the development of oxidative-nitrosative stress and restores endogenous H(2)S production in the rat brain under rotenone-induced toxicity

Energy deficit, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by rotenone may play a decisive role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Chromium picolinate has shown neuroprotective activity and efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease The effect of chromium picolinate on the brain under the conditions of rotenone influence has not been studied, and such data could shed light on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of chromium picolinate on the indices of oxidative-nitrosative stress and the content of sulfide anion and sulfites in the brain homogenate under rotenone administration to rats. Experiments were performed on 24 white, sexually mature male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups: control group; chromium picolinate group; rotenone group; group of combined exposure to chromium picolinate and rotenone. Chromium picolinate was administered orally at a dose of 80 μg/kg per day for 21 days. Rotenon was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg every other day. The introduction of rotenone into the body of rats was accompanied by the development of oxidative-nitrosative stress mainly due to the increased activity of NO-synthase inducible isoform, and by the decrease in the content of H2S and SO32- in brain tissue. Oral administration of chromium picolinate against the background of rotenone administration prevents the development of oxidative-nitrosative stress in brain tissue by reducing the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen forms, promotes the restoration of arginase activity and increases the content of H2S and SO32-. Keywords: chromium picolinate, H(2)S, NO-synthase, oxidative-nitrosative stress, rat brain, rotenon