Effects of therapeutic dose of ivermectin on plasma nitric oxide and total antioxidant capacity in rabbits.

BACKGROUND Ivermectin, an acaricide and anthielmintic drug of the family of avermectins may produce free radicals thus resulting cytotoxic effect on the parasite. Nitric oxide (NO) acts as free radicals and as host defense mechanisms. The antioxidant capacity (TAC) can be described by the analysis of single components in the defense systems against free radicals. It was aimed to study the effects of therapeutic doses of ivermectin on the plasma adenosine deaminase (ADA) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities (GGT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO) and total protein, albumin, globulin levels in rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty healthy New Zealand rabbits were allocated to 2 equal groups. Group I received 0.5 mg/kg and Group II received 1 mg/kg of ivermectin via subcutaneous injection. Blood samples were collected before the experiment, at 24 and 120 hours following the treatments. RESULTS Ivermectin at therapeutic doses increased plasma NO level at 24 h while decreased TAC at 120 h and did not alter other parameters. CONCLUSION These findings may suggest that ivermectin is a safe antiparasitic drug for mammals but to less extent, it may have an effect on the oxidant/antioxidant balance.