Results: 3-MCG significantly increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) levels (30%) and carbonyl formation (40%), indicating that this compound causes lipid and protein oxidative damage in the brain. In contrast, glutathione (GSH) levels, sulfhydryl oxidation and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), that reflect non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, were not significantly altered by 3-MCG. Finally, 3-MCG did not alter nitric oxide production, implying that reactive oxygen species were involved in the oxidative damage induced by this compound.