Effects of low dose rate neutron exposure on the serum superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde

Objective To study the effects of low dose rate netron exposure on the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA).Methods Eighty male SD rats were randomly divided into the experimental and the control groups. Rats in the experimental group were exposed to 252Cf neutron at 0.35 mGy/h for 20.5 hours. On the 28th, 42nd, 56th, and 70th days during exposure and also 35 days after exposure, 8 rats were chosen from each group and the serum samples were collected to measure the activity of SOD and the content of MDA by colorimetric method.Results When compared with the control group[(94.19±11.94)×103 U/L]on the same day, the activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the experimental group with an accumulated low dose rate of 0.3 Gy[(68.75±8.07)×103 U/L] decreased evidently (P 0.05). And there was also statistical difference in the contents of MDA at any check points, when a comparison was made between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions Our study indicated that prolonged exposure to low dose rate neutron (0.35 mGy/h) had no significant effects on the activity of serum SOD and the content of serum MDA in rats. Key words: Neutron;  Low dose rate;  Rats;  Superoxide dismutase;  Malondialdehyde