Hepatotoxicity Induced by Subchronic Exposure of Fluoride and Chlorpyrifos in Wistar Rats: Mitigating Effect of Ascorbic Acid

The aim of the study was to investigate the ameliorative properties of ascorbic acid against the subchronic effect of co-exposure of fluoride (F) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) on oxidative damage markers such as lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant defense system in the liver of adult Wistar rats. The animal groups were provided with either vehicle or ascorbic acid (60 mg/kg, b.w.) or NOAEL dose of fluoride (1 ppm) or CPF (1 mg/kg, b.w.) or ten times of such doses orally alone and in combination or pre-treated with ascorbic acid along with co-exposure of F and CPF every consecutive day for 28 days. Hepatic damage marker analysis in blood revealed that aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with single or combined exposure of F or CPF at either dose levels. Significant increased oxidative damage of hepatocytes as indicated by increased MDA levels with decrease in tissue ascorbate and free radical scavenging enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase was observed in groups treated with either F or CPF as well as in combinedly treated animals as compared to control animals. Supplementation of ascorbic acid restored the hepatic specific marker enzymes in blood following co-exposure of F and CPF at lower doses which were otherwise increased in the F and CPF co-exposed rats. The results show that ascorbic acid supplementation with F and CPF prevents or diminishes the hepatic damage in rats co-exposed to toxicants and may act as a putative protective agent against toxicant-induced liver tissue injury.