Pentoxifylline attenuates malathion-induced oxidative damage in rat

Toxic effects of pesticides are commonly associated with reactive oxygen species damage and pentoxifylline a phosphodiesterase inhibitor is a drug well known for antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oxidative damages following a subacute exposure to malathion, an organophosphorus insecticide and pentoxifylline''s ability to counteract these effects. Malathion (200 mg/kg/day) and pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg/day) alone or in combination were administered intraperitoneally to rats and after one week, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol groups (TTG) were measured in their blood. Pentoxifylline increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol groups (TTG) in blood significantly compared to malathion which decreased them. Our findings suggest that oxidative stress occurs in exposure to malathion and oxidative damage may be a contributory factor in complications associated with malathion. The results indicate that malathion exposure decreases TAC and TTG, a process involved in oxidative stress and pentoxifylline could prevent this damage.