Chlorpyrifos induced alterations in the levels of hydrogen peroxide, nitrate and nitrite in rat brain and liver

Organophosphate pesticides are among the most widely used synthetic chemicals for controlling a wide variety of pests. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is among the leading organophosphate (OP) pesticides used extensively throughout the world including India. Besides being potent anticholinesterase compounds, these OP pesticides are known to generate oxidative stress. Present study was carried out to see the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) in different parts of rat brain and liver after giving different doses of CPF intramuscularly for 3 days or for I month. Results of the present study clearly revealed that levels of H2O2, NO3- and NO2- were increased significantly in all the three parts of rat brain i.e., fore-, mid- and hind-brain as well as in liver of rats given for 3 days or 1 month due to exposure of different doses of CPF. The study clearly demonstrated that CPF generated oxidative stress in all the three brain regions as well as liver of rats and the ROS were accumulated. Accumulation of ROS in all the regions of brain and other tissues may disturb the normal physiological functions aggravating the toxicity symptoms of CPF. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.