Protective effects of isoflavone on some biochemical parameters affected by cypermethrin in male rabbits

Effect of isoflavone on cypermethrin-induced changes in enzyme activities and free radicals was studied in plasma, liver, brain and testes of male New Zealand White rabbits. Rabbits were orally given sublethal dose of cypermethrin (24 mg/kg BW; 1/100 LD50), while isoflavone (2 mg/kg BW) was given alone or in combination with cypermethrin. The tested doses were given to rabbits every other day for 12 weeks. Results obtained showed that cypermethrin significantly (P < 0.05) induced free radicals in plasma, liver, brain and testes. The activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) (liver, brain and testes), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (liver and testes), and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) (liver) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased due to cypermethrin administration. Contrariwise, the activities of GST, AST, ALT and AIP were increased in plasma. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) did not change in plasma and brain of treated rabbits with cypermethrin. Isoflavone alone significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of free radicals in plasma, liver, brain and testes, while did not produce any significant effect on the investigated enzymes. However, isoflavone is able to reverse the changes in enzyme activities due to the effect of cypermethrin. Results concluded that isoflavone confers marked protection against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress in rabbit's plasma, liver, brain and testes.