The favorable effects of vitamin E added on treatment of experimental acute organophosphate toxicity

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress by increased production of reactive oxygen species has been implicated in the toxicity of many pesticides. The tissue levels of ROS are one of the most important indicator of tissue injury. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin E treatment on choline esterase (CE) and Malondialdehit (MDA) levels in the liver tissue and blood in acute organophosphate poisoning (AOP) and to compare those effects with antidote-treatment only group.
METHODS: Twenty New Zealand type rabbits were randomly divided into three groups as sham (n=8), PAM-atropine (n=6), and vitamin E (n=6). Blood samples were taken from each test subjects to measure plasma CE, serum and erythrocyte MDA values before toxicity. 50 mg/kg DDVP were given to all subjects orogastrically. The PAM-atropine group were given 30 mg/kg IV bolus, then 15 mg/kg PAM and 0.05 mg/kg atropine IV every 4 hours. The vitamin E group received 250 mg/kg vitamin E single dose IM in addition to same atropine and PAM treatment. Blood samples were obtained from the all subjects in the 12th and 24th hours followed by the initiation of treatment. The liver tissue samples were obtained in order to evaluate same parameters. The test subjects were sacrificed by high dose IV anesthesia.
RESULTS: The erythrocyte MDA of vitamin E group was significantly lower than PAM-atropine group (p=0.003). Liver tissue CE level of vitamin E group was considerably higher than PAM-atropine group (p<0.001). Liver tissue MDA of vitamin E group was significantly lower than PAM-atropine group (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Included in the treatment of acute AOF toxicity, vitamin E has a curative effect on both erythrocyte and liver tissue lipid peroxidation and tissue CE activity.