ABSTRACT
Aims: Fenvalerate (FEN) is a type II synthetic pyrethroid that has replaced other groups of insecticides due to its improved insecticidal potency. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible role of antioxidant nutrients as a protective agent against alterations of FEN in liver tissue of male albino rats. Study Design: Histological and immunohistochemical studies. Place and Duration of Study: Zoology Department, College of Science, Alexandria University - Egypt, between May 2010 and February 2013. Methodology: Forty animals were divided into four groups of 10 rats each. The first group served as control which received corn oil , second group received a single dose (20mg FEN/kg) 24hours prior to decapitation , third group received (20 mg fish oil (ώ3) /kg/48h) and (4.1 mg selenium (Se) /kg/48h) for 20 days and fourth group received FEN following the supplementation with ώ3 and Se . Results: Histopathological changes in the FEN group illustrated as degeneration and proliferation of hepatocytes forming acinar and pseudoglandular pattern. The previous changes disappeared from FEN+ (ώ3 and Se) group. The histochemical staining of catalase enzyme revealed increased activity in FEN, FEN+ (ώ3 and Se) groups while activity of glutathione reductase enzyme was decreased in compare with control group. Immunohistochemical staining of Bcl-2 oncoprotein increased in the cytoplasm of periportal and centrilobular hepatocytes in FEN and FEN+ (ώ3 and Se) groups, while it decreased in (ώ3 +Se) group. Conclusion: It was suggested that FEN-induced dysregulation of architecture, antioxidant enzymes and expression of Bcl-2 oncoprotein which might be ameliorated by the effect of antioxidant nutrient.