ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Organophosphate insecticides such as diazinon [DZN] can disrupt the body's antioxidant defense system. Antioxidants protect cells against oxidative stress. In the present study, antioxidant properties of N- acetylcysteine [NAC] and vitamins E and C in reducing oxidative stress caused by DZN in rat spleen were compared
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight equal groups including. control, DZN [100 mg/kg], NAC [160 mg/kg], vitamin E [150 mg/kg], vitamin C [200 mg/kg], NAC+DZN, vitamin E+DZN, and vitamin C+DZN groups. Twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal injection the animals were anesthetized and their spleen tissues were quickly removed. After tissues' hemogenation superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione S-transferase [GST] ,lactate dehydrogenase activities, as well as glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde levels were determined using biochemical methods
Results: DZN increased SOD and GST activities, but it decreased CAT activity and GSH content in the spleen. Administration of the antioxidant NAC or vitamin E caused SOD and GAT improvement
Conclusion: DZN induces oxidative stress in the spleen. NAC, through increasing the synthesis of GSH, vitamins E, and C- by removing free radicals- reduce DZN-induced oxidative stress. Comparing the effects of these antioxidants on GSH and GST activity indicates that the antioxidant value of NAC is greater than vitamins E and C