Effect of Oral Administration of Dimethoate and Pyrantel on Selected Parameters of Pro- and Antioxidative Processes in Rats

A study was undertaken to examine the effect of the oral administration of dimethoate and/or pyrantel on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver of rats. Dimethoate was administered to the animals at a dose of 38.7 mg/kg b.w. for 5 consecutive days and pyrantel at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. for 3 consecutive days. Up to 12 h after the insecticide application, an increase in SOD activity with a concomitant decrease in CAT activity was accompanied by a significant increase in MDA concentration. This may suggest a strong oxidative stress. At longer time intervals, the values of all analysed parameters increased. In the combined intoxication, the profile of changes was similar to that observed in the animals intoxicated with dimethoate only; however, the changes were more pronounced.