Protective effects of antioxidants against endrin-induced lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, and lethality in rats.

Endrin depletes glutathione levels and induces lipid peroxidation in various species of animals. We have, therefore, examined the effect of antioxidants on these parameters in endrin-treated rats. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), vitamin E, vitamin C, and the glutathione precursor cysteine significantly inhibited hepatic glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation induced by 4 mg endrin/kg body weight. Furthermore, these antioxidants provided partial protection against lethality produced by 8 mg endrin/kg body weight. These results suggest but do not prove that free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion may be involved in the toxic manifestations of endrin.