Abstract Paraquat (PQ) is commonly used in controlling wild plants in agriculture and public environment. PQ ingestion in human mainly dies for hypoxia due to the enhanced oxidative stress. Magnesium and antioxidants play important role in erythrocytes. This study attempted to investigate whether PQ-induced oxidative injury in erythrocytes is involved in the alterations of antioxidants and magnesium. Rats were divided into four groups of 10 each and treated with a single, intraperitoneal injection of PQ at dosages of 0, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg, respectively. Erythrocytes were harvested via directly cardiac puncture after 24 h post-injection. Experimental results showed that the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was increased in parallel with the PQ-treated dosage. In contrast, the magnesium(Mg) level and the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were opposite to PQ-treated dosage experimentally. Our findings clearly demonstrate that PQ-induced oxidative injury in erythrocytes is involved in the alterations of magnesium level and antioxidant activity.
Keywords Paraquat, Oxidative stress, Magnesium, Antioxidant, Malondialdehyde.