Protective Effect of Chrysin against Chlorpyrifos-Induced Metabolic Impairment and Pancreatitis in Male Rats.

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of chrysin (CH) on metabolic impairment and pancreatic injury caused by sub-chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) intoxication in male rats.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n=8). Intraperitoneal injections of chrysin (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg for 45 days) and CPF (10 mg/kg for 45 days) gavage were performed. Present findings indicated that the serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol, as well as body weight, were increased in the CPF-exposed group.

Results: It was also found that CPF decreased superoxide dismutase activity as well as increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in the pancreatic tissue of exposed animals. Histopathological examination also confirmed the toxic effects of CPF on pancreatic tissue as mostly evidenced by infiltration of inflammatory cells and necrosis. CH (50 mg/kg) decreased blood glucose concentration (p < 0.05), TG (p < 0.05), and LDL-C in CPF-exposed animals. CH decreased the pancreas levels of MDA in all treated CPF-exposed groups versus the non-treated CPF-exposed group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). A significant difference was not seen in the NO and MDA levels and SOD activity between CH-treated (50 mg/kg) animals exposed to CPF and controls. A significant difference was not seen in the NO and MDA levels and SOD activity between CHtreated (50 mg/kg) animals exposed to CPF and controls.

Conclusion: A significant difference was not seen in the NO and MDA levels and SOD activity between CH-treated (50 mg/kg) animals exposed to CPF and controls. In conclusion, CH could prevent initiate and progress of CPF-induced metabolic impairment by modulating oxidative stress in pancreatic tissue as a target organ of organophosphorus pesticides.