Organophosphate compounds act by irreversible inhibition of
cholinesterase. In addition to their
muscarinic, nicotinic, and central nervous system effects, some
organophosphate insecticides cause oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes and by increasing levels of the
enzymes superoxide dismutase and
catalase. In this study, the effects of an
antioxidant,
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in
organophosphate poisoning were investigated. After obtaining Animal Ethics Committee approval, 16 male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups. Following
anesthesia, rats were tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated. Invasive hemodynamic monitoring was begun and all rats were injected with 70 mg/kg of
dichlorvos (
DDVP) intraperitoneally. The rats in group 1 received placebo intravenous
0.9% NaCl and the rats in group 2 received 150 mg/kg intravenous NAC. Blood samples were obtained before injection of
DDVP and 60 minutes after injection to determine levels of
malondialdehyde,
superoxide dismutase, and
catalase. Hemodynamic data and biochemistry test results were compared by analysis of variance and Wilcoxon test. P<.05 was regarded as statistically significant.
Superoxide dismutase and
malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in group 1 while no difference was observed in group 2. It was concluded that
organophosphate compounds might cause oxidative stress by interfering with
antioxidant defense mechanisms in erythrocytes and that NAC might prevent increased lipid peroxidation. In addition to classic treatments, drugs with
antioxidant effects might therefore be promising in the treatment of
organophosphate poisoning.