The objective of the current study was to analyze the hepatotoxic effect ca
used by cypermethrin (CYP) in rats, and to evaluate the possible protective
effect of the antioxidant alpha -tocopherol (alpha -T). Fifty male Wistar
rats were given daily i.p. doses of 300 mg/kg per day of CYP during 7 days.
Half of them were administered three previous doses of 100 mg/kg per day o
f alpha -T, followed by seven subsequent oral doses of 40 mg/kg per day of
alpha -T. The levels of biochemical indicators and histological liver damag
e were determined, as well as DCVA in urine. CYP altered the lipid metaboli
sm. Such alterations were inhibited 32% by alpha -T, except for LDL. Altera
tions in AST were modulated in 29%. In the histology, alpha -T reduced mito
chondria damage, and swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum of the liver cel
ls. The results suggest that alpha -T can modify CYP metabolism, changing t
he lipidic profile and the histological analysis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science
Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.