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.