L-Glutamic Acid Mitigates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Tissue Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model

Background: Tetrachloromethane (CCl4) is a highly toxic environmental pollutant that causes specific and serious damage to various organs of animals and humans. The study of its effect on physiological and biochemical processes in the mammalian organism is very important, despite the severe restrictions on the use of tetrachloromantane in recent years. The fact is that they can be used as a model for many toxicological studies. Objective: The experimental studies aimed at exploring the ameliorative effects of L-glutamic acid (LGlu) on CCl4 toxicity in the myocardium, lung tissues and blood of male rats. Methods: Rats were exposed to CCl4, and later rats were treated with L-Glu. The GSH level and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were studied. In addition to this, the content of lipid peroxidation products was monitored. Results: The obtained results suggest that CCl4 causes oxidative stress in rat tissues, accompanied by an increase in lipid peroxidation products and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) content. The enzymatic activity in tissues of rats treated with L-Glu was restored. Moreover, the changes, which were observed in the studied parameters, showed to be less significant compared to CCl4 treated group. Conclusion: These results suggest that L-Glu inhibits free radical processes. In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility of the administration of L-Glu supplementation, which could be used to protect and mitigate the CCl4-induced oxidative stress.