RESUMO
The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of selenium as an antioxidant on alpha-cypermethrin neurotoxicity in adult male albino rats. This was achieved by observing the changes occurring in the neurotransmitters in plasma. In this study, the animals were treated with 1/10 LD[50] of alpha-cypermethrin insecticide and/or selenium for 14 and 28 days. The data showed a significant increase in plasma norepinephrine [NE] and dopamine [DA] levels with a significant reduction in plasma serotonin [5-HT], 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid [5-HIAA] and acetylcholinesterase [AchE] were recorded. On the other hand, the level of plasma monoamine oxidase [MAO] showed a significant decrease after 14 days of treatment, then increased after 28 days. Combined supplementation of selenium [in drinking water] and alpha-cypermethrin [orally] exhibit the same changes in plasma neurotransmitters compared to alpha-cypermethrin alone. The results indicate that alpha-cypermethrin induced neurotoxicity is mediated by free radical and selenium didn't play a protective role against alpha-cypermethrin induced neurotoxicity