THE CHANGES OF ZINC, COPPER, AND IRON LEVELS IN LUNG TISSUE AFTER FORMALDEHYDE INHALATION DURING THE EARLY POSTNATAL PERIOD OF RATS

Aim: In this study, effects of inhaled formaldehyde (FA) gas, during early postnatal period on the levels of zinc, copper and iron elements and activity of total superoxide dismutase (t-SOD) enzyme in lung tissue and also the reversibility of effects of formaldehyde were examined.
Methods: For this purpose newly born albino Wistar rats were exposed to 0 (control), 6 or 12 ppm FA gas for 30 days. After the treatment, rats were decapitated in 30th and 90th days. Activities of t-SOD and the levels of zinc, copper and iron were measured in lung samples.
Results: A decrease in the t-SOD activity, copper and iron levels and increase in zinc levels were found in the treatment groups in comparison with control group at both 30th and 90th days measurements.
Conclusion: It was thought that exposure to FA may alter the trace element levels of lung tissue including copper, zinc and iron, and induce further oxidative damage on lung tissue.