Vitamin E protects Wistar rats from chlorpyrifos-induced increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, the role of lipid peroxidation and the ameliorative effect of vitamin E on the erythrocyte fragility. Twenty young adult male Wistar rats divided into four groups of five animals each served as subjects for this study. Groups I (control) and II were exposed to soya oil (2 ml/kg) and vitamin E (75 mg/kg), respectively. Rats in group III were exposed to CPF (10.6 mg/kg 1/8th of the previously determined LD50 of 85 mg/kg over a period of 48 h), while those in group IV were pretreated with vitamin E (75 mg/kg) and then exposed to CPF, 30 min later. The regimens were administered orally by gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood samples collected at the end of the test period were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility, while the washed erythrocytes were used to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as an index of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that repeated CPF exposure caused increased erythrocyte fragility and MDA concentration. Pretreatment with vitamin E ameliorated CPF-induced increase in erythrocyte fragility and lipoperoxidative changes in Wistar rats.