DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM LINDANE ADMINISTRATION ON PARAMETERS RELATED TO OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RAT-LIVER AND ERYTHROCYTES

Parameters related to oxidative stress in rat liver and erythrocytes w ere studied after short-term administration (60 and 90 days) of 1000 p pm of lindane in the diet. Lindane induced an oxidative stress conditi on in the liver, which is related to an enhancement in microsomal NADP H-cytochrome c reductase and NADPH oxidase activities, superoxide radi cal formation and cytochrome P450 content, produced independently of t he time of treatment. Also, decreased activities of glutathione peroxi dase and catalase were concomitantly observed. Although these changes were paralleled by an increase in lipid peroxidation indices, such as production of thiobarbituric acid reactants and spontaneous chemilumin escence, no evidence of liver injury was obtained. Lindane treatment d id not exert quantitatively important changes in the pro-oxidant/anti- oxidant status of the erythrocyte, with reduction in the red blood cel l mass possibly reflecting actions of the insecticide on the erythropo ietic process.