title: Effects of therapeutic dose of ivermectin on plasma nitric oxide and total antioxidant capacity in rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ivermectin, an acaricide and anthielmintic drug of the family of avermectins may produce free radicals thus resulting cytotoxic effect on the parasite. Nitric oxide (NO) acts as free radicals and as host defense mechanisms. The antioxidant capacity (TAC) can be described by the analysis of single components in the defense systems against free radicals. It was aimed to study the effects of therapeutic doses of ivermectin on the plasma adenosine deaminase (ADA) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities (GGT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO) and total protein, albumin, globulin levels in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy New Zealand rabbits were allocated to 2 equal groups. Group I received 0.5 mg/kg and Group II received 1 mg/kg of ivermectin via subcutaneous injection. Blood samples were collected before the experiment, at 24 and 120 hours following the treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ivermectin at therapeutic doses increased plasma NO level at 24 h while decreased TAC at 120 h and did not alter other parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings may suggest that ivermectin is a safe antiparasitic drug for mammals but to less extent, it may have an effect on the oxidant/antioxidant balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Kafkas, Kars, Turkey. et_tasci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atakisi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Atakisi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Topcu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uzun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007559:Ivermectin