Effects of L-ascorbic acid supplementation on dieldrin toxicity in rats

Chronic dieldrin administration to rats (5 mg/kg/day) produced pathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Dieldrin treated rats showed high levels of liver ascorbic acid and increased activities of inorganic pyrophosphatase in brain and glucose-6-phosphatase in liver. The activities of Mg2+-ATPase in liver and acetylcholinesterase in brain were decreased under toxic doses of dieldrin. L-Ascorbic acid supplements in treated animals could partially prevent the pathological alterations, as observed histologically in liver and kidney tissues. Administration of this vitamin could also prevent alterations in some enzyme activities produced by toxic dieldrin doses.

Effect of dieldrin on rat liver plasma membrane enzymes

Dieldrin, an organochlorine insecticide, when administered orally to male albino rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 15 days inhibits the enzyme Mg2+ -ATPase and stimulates the activity of 5'-nucleotidase and NADH-dehydrogenase in liver plasma membrane. L-ascorbic acid supplementation offers some protection in relation to the inhibition of Mg2+ -ATPase.