Sub-chronic effects of acephate on antioxidant enzymes and immune system of male wistar rats

Study investigates sub-chronic effects of acephate at 1/50^th, 1/25^th and 1/10^th of LD₅₀ concentrations for four weeks in male wistar rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and antioxidant activity (AOA) showed increasing trend with increasing acephate dose in plasma. GPx, GST and LPO activity increased significantly in dose-dependent manner among liver, kidney and testis. Levels of SOD, CAT and GR revealed fluctuated trends among different organs. Single radial immune diffusion technique suggested that no antibodies were generated against acephate even at higher doses in treated rats. Interestingly, at higher dose, feed, water intake and body weight decreased along with abnormalities as compared to controls. Rats were unable to detoxify influx of acephate generated ROS even by activating enzymatic antioxidant defense system. Thus, acephate has potential to induce oxidative stress and cholinergic symptoms but failed to be a potent immunotoxic agent.