SUB-ACUTE MALATHION INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS: PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN C
Mature male Wistar rats (weighing 250-300g and each group six animals) were given malathion (75mg/kg; 1/18 of the LD50 for an oral dose), malathion (75mg/kg) +vitamin C (100mg/kg) intraperitoneally daily for 28 days. Administration of malathion significantly increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) level in heart. Light microscopy showed severe granular degeneration and myocytolysis in heart muscle cells indicating cardiotoxicity due to toxicant. Pre-treatment with vitamin C significantly reduced MDA level in heart. The pathological changes in heart muscle cells were also found to be minimum in antioxidant group. Vitamin C can reduce the toxic effects of malathion on heart, so it may be considered as prophylaxis for the toxic effects of malathion exposure.