In vivo antioxidant potential of ascorbic acid against lead and/or cypermethrin-induced oxidative tissue damage

Abstract

Cypermethrin (CPM) and lead (Pb) are common environmental pollutants found in ecosystems. In the present study, levels of oxidative stress generated were investigated in the liver, kidney and spleen of female Wistar rats after a 28-day exposure to CPM and Pb, alone or in combination, in presence or absence of ascorbic acid as a prophylactic antioxidant treatment. The significant decline in protein content of liver was observed in CPM or Pb alone as well as co-exposed groups. Both CPM and Pb were found to be potent inducers of oxidative stress. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels were noted in all the tissues examined. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly lowered in spleen while superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed marked fall in liver and spleen. Oxidative stress was reduced in the co-exposure group as compared to CPM or Pb alone treated groups. Ascorbic acid exhibited considerable restorative effects against Pb, CPM alone or in combination as revealed by significant return of values of LPO, CAT, SOD and GPx to control. The improved antioxidant status of liver, kidney and spleen by ascorbic acid may represent a promising tool for chemoprevention against heavy metal and/or pesticide toxicity in humans and animals. Further studies are required to unravel the molecular mechanistic underlying toxicological implications of metal pesticide binary mixture toxicity.