Mitigating effects of some antidotes on fluoride and arsenic induced free radical toxicity in mice ovary

The effects of oral administration of sodium fluoride (NaF) and/or arsenic trioxide (As2O3) (5 mg and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively) for 30 days were investigated on free radical induced toxicity in the mouse ovary. The reversibility of the induced effects after withdrawal of NaF + As2O3 treatment and by administration of antioxidant vitamins (C, E) and calcium alone as well as in combination were also studied. The combined treatment of NaF and As2O3 impaired significantly (p < 0.001) the production of free radical scavengers such as glutathione and ascorbic acid as well as antioxidant enzymes, namely, glutathione peroxidase (GSH–Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (Cat), thereby increasing ovarian lipid peroxides (LPO) which might have rendered the ovary susceptible to injury. The withdrawal of the combined (NaF and As2O3 for 30 days) treatment caused partial recovery in the ovary, which was more pronounced (p < 0.001) by treatment with vitamin C, calcium, or vitamin E alone and in combination. Hence the induced toxicity was transient and reversible.