Co-administration of Vitamins C and E Ameliorates Chronic Chlorpyrifos-induced Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility in Wistar Rats

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of chronic low-dose chlorpyrifos (CPF) administration on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, the role of lipoperoxidative changes and the ameliorative effect of co-administration of vitamins C and E on CPF-induced osmotic fragility. To accomplish these objectives, 20 rats divided into 4 groups of 5 animals in each group served as subjects for this study. Rats in group I received soya oil only (2 ml/kg), while those in group II were co-administered vitamin C (100 mg/kg) and vitamin E (75 mg/kg) only. Rats in group III were given only CPF (10.6 mg/kg, ~ 1/8th LD5o), while those in group IV were co-administered vitamin C (100 mg/kg) and vitamin E (75 mg/kg) followed by CPF (10.6 mg/kg), 30 minutes later. The regimens were given by gavage once daily for 17 weeks. Blood collected from the animals at the end of the test period were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration as an index of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that repeated CPF exposure caused increased erythrocyte fragility and MDA concentration. Pretreatment with vitamins C and E ameliorated the CPF-induced increase in erythrocyte fragility and lipoperoxidative changes in Wistar rats