The effects of cold-induced stress on liver oxidative injury during binge drinking

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of cold stress on hepatic oxidative damage during binge drinking in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: group 1: control; group 2: ethanol-treated; group 3: stress-exposed; group 4: stress-exposed and ethanol-treated group. Oxidative and nitrosative stress parameters in the liver were determined spectrophotometrically, 12 h after treatment. Liver malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in group 4 when compared with groups 2 and 3. The highest increase in nitric oxide concentration was demonstrated in group 4 in comparison with groups 2 and 3. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lower in group 4 when compared with groups 2 and 3. Ethanol administration induced a larger decrease in the activity of copper-/zinc-SOD in group 4 in comparison with group 2. Activity of manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD) was significantly higher in groups 3 and 4, when compared with control values, but the greatest increase in the act...