Evaluation of Protective Effect of Omega- 3 Fatty Acids and Selenium on Paraquat Intoxicated Rats

Paraquat (PQ) toxicity involves the generation of the superoxide anion, which can lead to the formation of more toxic reactive oxygen species. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PQ on biochemical parameters in male rats and possible role of omega 3 fatty acids (ω3) and selenium (Se). The animals were divided randomly into 4 groups and kept at 10 rats per group. The first group was served as a control and administered with corn oil per orally, group 2 was injected with a single dose of PQ (10 mg.kg-1 BW, per i.p.) 24 h prior to decapitation, group 3 rats were pretreated per orally with ω3 (20 mg.kg-1 BW, three times a week for three weeks) and Se as sodium selenite (200 μg.kg-1 BW three times a week for three weeks), group 4 were pretreated per orally with ω3 (20 mg.kg-1 BW, three times a week for three weeks) and Se as sodium selenite (200 μg.kg-1 BW three times a week for three weeks), prior to injection with a single dose of PQ (10 mg.kg-1 BW, per i.p.). Paraquat was found to induce (P<0.001) serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Treatment with ω3+Se alone increased the activities of SOD and CAT, while it decreased TBARS levels. ω3+Se provided protection against PQ-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in these rats. Total lipid (TL), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly (P<0.001) increased while high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was decreased. The administration of ω3+Se alone decreased the levels of lipids and lipoproteins, and neutralized the harmful effects of paraquat. Paraquat increased (P<0.01) serum aminotransferases, phosphatases, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GT). Urea, creatinine uric acid and total bilirubin levels were increased (P<0.01) whilst total protein (TP), albumin, globulin were significantly decreased (P<0.001). The results show that ω3+Se may neutralize changes in biochemical parameters and lipid peroxidation by activation of antioxidant defense system in rats.