Background and Objective: Fenvalerate is a component of the pyrethroid pesticide induces oxidative stress. This study was done to determine the effect of garlic extract (GE) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against fenvalerate-induced oxidative stress in the serum and testis tissue of rat.

Methods: In this experimental study, 42 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups including: control group, sham group (normal saline), the first experimental group receiving NAC (80 mg/kg/bw), the second experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw), the third experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw) + garlic extract (40 mg/kg/bw), the fourth experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw) + NAC (80 mg/kg/bw) and the fifth experimental group receiving fenvalerate (10 mg/kg/bw) + garlic extract (40 mg/kg/bw) + NAC (80 mg/kg/bw). Injection of fenvalerate was performed intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days in animals of intervention groups. Afterwards, for 10 consecutive days, NAC and garlic extract were injected. In this study, 1/40 LD50 fenvalerate was used. The activity of the catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in serum and testis tissue in all animals.

Results: MDA level of serum and testis tissue in fenvalerate group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The injection of NAC and garlic extract alone (P<0.05) as well as garlic extract in combination with NAC reduced MDA level of serum and testis tissue compared to fenvalerate group (P<0.05). Serum TAC level was significantly reduced in fenvalerate group compared to control (P<0.05). Serum TAC level was significantly increased in fenvalerate + GE group, fenvalerate + NAC group and fenvalerate + GE + NAC group compated to the fenvalerate group (P<0.05). GST activity of serum was significantly increased in fenvalerate group compared to control (P<0.05). GST activity of serum was significantly reduced in NAC, garlic extract and combination of NAC and garlic extact groups compared to fenvalerate group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: In this animal model study, low dose (10 mg/kg/bw) fenvalerate induces oxidative stress. Garlic extract and N-acetylcysteine (alone and in combination) improve injures caused by fenvalerate.