Protective role of L-ascorbic acid against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats

• Published in: Toxicological and environmental chemistry Vol. 92; no. 5; pp. 947 - 953
• Main Authors: Raina, Rajinder, Verma, Pawan K., Pankaj, Nrip K., Kant, Vinay, Prawez, Shahid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.05.2010; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: cypermethrin; Environment; Insecticides; L-ascorbic acid; Lipids; Oxidation; oxidative stress; rats; Rodents; Toxicology; Vitamin C
• ISSN: 0277-2248; 1029-0486
• DOI: 10.1080/02772240903174781

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used for pest control in agriculture and as an acaricide in man and animals. This study was undertaken with the objective to investigate the propensity of cypermethrin to induce oxidative stress in rats following repetitive dermal exposure and its possible attenuation by L-ascorbic acid. Results obtained showed that cypermethrin significantly (p < 0.05) increased malonaldehyde levels, activity of catalase in rat erythrocytes and plasma protein levels. Whereas, activities of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the cypermethrin exposed rats as compared to the control. Supplementation of L-ascorbic acid in cypermethrin-exposed rats decreased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes, total plasma protein and catalase activity significantly (p < 0.05) compared to non-cypermethrin-exposed group. However, L-ascorbic acid did not alleviate the negative effects of cypermethrin on the activities of SOD and GSH. This study revealed that the presence of L-ascorbic acid diminishes the adverse effects of cypermethrin on some oxidative stress parameters.