RESUMO
ABSTRACT Diazinon, an organophosphate (OP) insecticide, is widely used in agriculture and domestically. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by OPs are involved in the toxicity of various pesticides. The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of diazinon in inducing oxidative stress in adult male Wistar rats and to evaluate the possible protective effects of alpha-tocopherol (TPH) and the glutathione prodrug N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) after 4 weeks of exposure to a sublethal dose of diazinon. TPH (10 mg/kg/day), NAC (160 mg/kg/day), diazinon (25 mg/kg/day), a combination of NAC (160 mg/kg/day) and diazinon (25 mg/kg/day), and a combination of TPH (10 mg/kg/day) and diazinon (25 mg/kg/day) were given to rats orally via gavage for 4 weeks. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) marker of lipid peroxides levels, total thiol molecules, and total antioxidant capacity of plasma were all analyzed as biomarkers of oxidative stress. In addition, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured as a biomarker of toxicity. The results from this study well indicate diazinon-induced oxidative stress demonstrated by enhanced TBARS, decreased total thiol molecules, and total antioxidant capacity. In addition, AChE activity was inhibited as a marker of OP toxicity. Data show the protective roles of TPH and NAC in reducing the diazinon-induced oxidative stress. Interestingly, both TPH and NAC recovered diazinon-induced AChE inhibition. It is concluded that supplementation with TPH and NAC can reduce toxicity of OP in human exposure.