Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in acute organophosphorous insecticide poisoning

• Published in: Indian journal of pharmacology Vol. 36; no. 2; p. 76
• Main Author: Vidyasagar J, Karunakar N, Reddy MS, Rajnarayana K, Surender T, Krishna DR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pondicherry Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society 31-12-2004; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Antioxidant status, free radicals, malonyl aldehyde, pesticide poisoning, superoxide dismutase
• ISSN: 0253-7613; 1998-3751

Objective: To study the antioxidant status and the extent of
oxidative stress in patients with organophosphorus insecticide (OPI)
poisoning before and after specific treatment. Material and Methods:
The study was conducted in eighty-four OPI poisoned patients.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyl aldehyde (MDA) levels were
estimated as an index of antioxidant status and oxidative stress
respectively and comparisons were made (a) between different grades of
poisoning based on clinical features and anticholinesterase (AChE)
levels, (b) before and after therapy with atropine sulfate plus
pralidoxime (PAM) and (c) between healthy control subjects and OPI
poisoned patients. Results: There was a progressive fall in both the
RBC and plasma AChE levels which correlated with the severity of
poisoning. Upon therapy, profound improvement in the AChE levels was
observed (an increase by 20.5% and 20.9% in RBC and plasma AChE levels
respectively). There was also an increase in the MDA levels which
nearly doubled in OPI poisoned patients who failed to survive (3.6
± 0.92 to 6.7 ± 2.3 nM/ml). SOD levels increased parallel to
the severity of poisoning, but did not normalize after therapy.
Conclusion: The increased level of MDA in OPI poisoned patients who
failed to survive was probably reflective of accelerated lipid
peroxidation, cell damage and death (oxidative stress). Significant
improvement was noticed in the AChE (serum and RBC) levels of patients
with specific treatment but without much change in the antioxidant
status as reflected by the SOD and MDA levels.