Abstract

Castration has previously been shown to induce oxidative stress. Previous studies have shown tomato to be a potent anti-oxidant which reduces oxidative stress in many disease conditions. However, the likely role of tomato in ameliorating castration-induced oxidative stress has not been studied and was of interest to us. The present study looked into the effect of tomato supplement on the plasma level of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, level of lipid peroxidation rate by estimating the malondialdehyde (MDA) and other parameters like weight gain and blood glucose levels in castrated and sham-operated rats. Castration did not affect weight gain and plasma catalase level; but increased plasma glucose and MDA levels and decreased plasma SOD level. Tomato supple-mentation reduced weight gain but had no effect on castration-induced hyperglycemia. It also increased plasma SOD and catalase, and decreased plasma MDA level in the castrated rats. These findings suggested that tomato supplementation might have important therapeutic potential as an anti-oxidant during castration and a weight regulator in castrates and non-castrates.

Key words: Anti-oxidant, Blood glucose, Castration, Oxidative stress, Tomato.