<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif' border=0> -Tocopherol ameliorates cypermethrin-induced toxicity and oxidative stress in the nematode <i>Caenorhabdtis elegans</i>

Abstract

Oxidative stress and other effects induced by cypermethrin (CYP, 15 mM) and their amelioration by <img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif' border=0>-tocopherol (400 <img src='/image/spc_char/micro.gif' border=0>M) was studied in the nematode <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>. The worms exposed for 4 h to CYP showed increased levels of reactive oxygen species (46%), H₂O₂(37%) and protein carbonyls (29%), accompanied by decreased lifespan and brood size. However, exposure to both CYP and a-tocopherol resulted in diminution of above alterations with the worms exhibiting relatively lower levels of ROS (30%), H₂O₂ (15%), protein carbonyls (14%), altered antioxidant enzyme activities and normal lifespan and brood size. The results suggest that CYP induces oxidative stress in <i>C. elegans</i> and the strategy of intervention with <img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif' border=0>-tocopherol could be exploited to offset this induced oxidative stress.