Global Veterinaria 11 (2): 258-265, 2013 ISSN 1992-6197 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2013.11.2.7578 Corresponding Author: Khaled M.A. Mahran, Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. 258 Clinicopathological Studies on Endosulfan-Induced Oxidative Stress and the Protective Role of Vitamin E Khaled M.A. Mahran Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Abstract: Endosulfan, an organochlorineacaricide and insecticide, has been used in agriculture on food and non-food crops for several years. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological changes associated with the oxidative stress induced by endosulfan in male rats and to evaluate the possible protective effect of vitamin E. The present experimental study was carried out on 40 albino rats (150-200 g) which were divided randomly into 4 groups; control group, endosulfan treated-group (2 mg/kgb.wt./day),vitamin Etreated- group (200 mg/kgb.wt. twice a week) and endosulfan with vitamin E treated-group. Blood samples were weekly collected for studying changes in clinical hematology and serum biochemistry. At the end of experiment, antioxidant enzymes activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Catalase (CAT)] in RBCs hemolysate and tissue homogenates (heart, liver, kidney and spleen) were studied. Results revealed that, oral administration of endosulfan induced microcytic hypochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis with lymphocytosis, significant hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia with decreased A/G ratio, increased activities of ALT and ALP, total hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and increased BUN and creatinine concentrations. Moreover, endosulfan induced decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX and CAT) in hemolysates and tissue homogenates. The present study concluded that oral administration of vitamin E improved the adverse effects of oxidative stress induced by endosulfan. Key words: Clinical Hematology Clinical Biochemistry Oxidative Stress Antioxidant Enzymes Endosulfan Vitamin E Rats INTRODUCTION also been detected in human tissues, cord blood samples Endosulfan is a toxic broad-spectrum insecticide tissue. Also it has been traced in human milk samples and acaricide against great variety of insects and mites obtained from healthy lactating women in Egypt, in agriculture and allied sectors. It is used on food Colombia and Nicaragua and from cotton pickers in and non-food crops [1]. Endosulfan belongs to Pakistan [7]. organochlorine group, under the cyclodiene subgroup. Excessive improper application and handling of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and endosulfan have been linked to congenital physical European Union (EU) classify endosulfan as highly disorders, mental retardations and deaths in farm workers hazardous [2]. In USA, endosulfan is categorized as a and villagers in developing countries [8]. restricted use pesticide (RUP) and is also listed in the Recent studies indicate that, pesticide intoxication acute toxicity I category, due to its high toxicity [3]. (including endosulfan) produce oxidative stress by Exposure to endosulfan may be through various generation of free radicals and induce tissue lipid avenues, especially, ingestion of contaminated food, peroxidation in mammals and other organisms [9]. water and cow’s milk [4]. Also, inhalation and skin Oxidative stress is defined as a disruption of absorption are occupational risk factors [5]. Endosulfan prooxidant-antioxidant balance leading to potential residues were detected in imported and locally raised damage [10]. It is a result of one of three factors; an chicken and bovine meat in Egypt [6]. Endosulfan has increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), an impairment obtained at the time of delivery, human sera and adipose