title: Protective effect of melatonin on propoxur-induced impairment of memory and oxidative stress in rats.
abstract: Propoxur (a carbamate pesticide) has been shown to adversely affect memory and induce oxidative stress on both acute and chronic exposure. This study was designed to explore the modulation of the effects of propoxur over cognitive function by melatonin (MEL). Cognitive function was assessed using step-down latency (SDL) on a passive avoidance apparatus, and transfer latency (TL) on an elevated plus maze. Oxidative stress was assessed by examining brain malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) activity. A significant reduction in SDL and prolongation of TL was observed for the propoxur (10 mg/kg/d; p.o.) treated group at weeks 6 and 7 when compared with control. One week treatment with MEL (50 mg/kg/d; i.p.) antagonized the effect of propoxur on SDL, as well as TL. Propoxur produced a statistically significant increase in the brain MDA levels and decrease in the brain GSH levels and CAT activity. Treatment with MEL attenuated the effect of propoxur on oxidative stress. The results of the present study thus show that MEL has the potential to attenuate cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by toxicants like propoxur in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi, Delhi 110095, India.
authors.forename: Kapil D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Ashish K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Sumita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halder
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Ashok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Krishna K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D001074:Propoxur / Q000633:toxicity*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D020011:Protective Agents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001074:Propoxur; D002374:Catalase; D005978:Glutathione; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: carbamate; melatonin; propoxur; step down latency; transfer latency