Dimethoate induced changes in antioxidant parameters of female albino rats

Dimethaote is one of the most important Organophosphate pesticides, is frequently used in agriculture against a wide range of insects and mites as both a systemic and a contact pesticides. It is also used for indoor control of houseflies. Dimethoate intoxication causes cellular injury and oxidative stress (OS) which leads to lipid peroxidation and free radical production. Present study was undertaken to investigate effects of dimethoate treatments at dose levels i.e. 1/20th, 1/40th and 1/80th of LD50 , on feed and water intake and body weight in three group of female albino rats as compared to control receiving only olive oil during 30 days experiment. Dimethoate induced OS biomarkers level viz; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were determined in blood. Results revealed non significant decrease in feed intake and water intake, while body weight and organs weight were comparable in Dimethoate treated female rats (p<0.05). The value of total protein content was non-significant in lysate and plasma of blood while OS biomarkers such as CAT, SOD, GR, GPx and LPO were differentially modified in Dimethoate treated female albino rats. The results suggest that the exposure of female albino rats to Dimethote may induce OS at dose dependent manner.