Evaluaion of the effect of malathion on lipid peroxidation on production of MDA

Abstract

Protection from effects of the organophosphate insecticide, malathion on the liver and kidney of male Wistar 
albino rats by -tocopherol and selenium was investigated. Significantly greater (P<0.01) mean concentrations 
of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lesser concentrations (P<0.01) of reduced glutathione (GSH) and tissues total 
proteins were observed in liver and kidney of rats exposed to malathion. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes, 
superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were less in livers and kidneys 
of rats exposed to malathion. These effects caused by exposure to malathion were reversed when rats were 
subsequently treated orally with 100 mg/kg b.w. tocopherol and/or 0.1 mg selenium/kg b.w. Both tocopherol 
and selenium (Se) reduced the concentration of MDA, and increased concentration of total proteins and 
reduced glutathione and mean activities of SOD, CAT and GPx, to levels that were not significantly different 
from unexposed, control rats, previous to exposure to malathion. Selenium was significantly ( P<0.05) more 
effective at recovering activities of SOD and GPx in liver and kidney of malathion treated rats than was - 
tocopherol, whereas, -tocopherol was significantly (P<0.05) more effective at recovering activities of CAT in 
liver and kidney than was Se. Both -tocopherol and Se were effective in alleviating oxidative damage in liver 
and kidney of rats caused by malathion.