Sub-chronic effect of Rambo insect powder contaminated diet on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Wister albino rats

Abstract

Studies of superoxide dismutase (SOD) induction in rats exposed to locally produced insecticide, “Rambo” of which the active chemical compound is permethrin (0.6% w/w) was performed. The rats were divided into three groups of five rats per cage. Each group of rats was fed with normal diet contaminated with 1 %, 5 % and 10 % (w/w) of the insecticide respectively. The control group was fed normal diet. The effect of insecticide at various concentrations on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the blood plasma was not significantly different (P > 0.05) in the newly weaned rats (NWR). However, in the middle-aged rats (MAR) and aged rats (AR) groups, the results were significantly different (P < 0.05) against the parallel controls. Comparison of the effect of the insecticide on SOD induction at various concentrations among the groups based on age difference showed significantly different result (P < 0.05), especially among the groups fed with 10 % (w/w) of the insecticide in the diet. Results of this study show that in non-target organisms “Rambo” insect powder may induce superoxide dismutase activity thus suggesting oxidative-stress related toxicity.

Keywords: superoxide dismutase, permethrin , Rambo insect powder

Biokemistri Vol. 17(2) 2005: 157-163