pentoxifylline attenuates malathion-induced oxidative damage in rat

introduction: toxic effects of pesticides are commonly associated with reactive oxygen species damage and pentoxifylline a phosphodiesterase inhibitor is a drug well known for antioxidant properties. the purpose of this study was to evaluate the oxidative damages following a subacute exposure to malathion, an organophosphorus insecticide and pentoxifylline's ability to counteract these effects. material and methods: malathion (200 mg/kg/day) and pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg/day) alone or in combination were administered intraperitoneally to rats and after one week, total antioxidant capacity (tac) and total thiol groups (ttg) were measured in their blood. results: pentoxifylline increased total antioxidant capacity (tac) and total thiol groups (ttg) in blood significantly compared to malathion which decreased them. conclusion: our findings suggest that oxidative stress occurs in exposure to malathion and oxidative damage may be a contributory factor in complications associated with malathion. the results indicate that malathion exposure decreases tac and ttg, a process involved in oxidative stress and pentoxifylline could prevent this damage.