Toxicity of Sumithion in Albino Rats: Hematological and Biochemical Studies

Assessment of the toxic influence of locally formulated pesticides on hepatic and renal biomarkers in male Wistar rats

Background

There is growing concern of the potential damage to vital organs after long term exposure to locally formulated pesticides in rural area of Nigeria. This study was designed to assessed the effects of the individual chemical compound and their combination on the kidney and liver of rats' model.

Methodology

Fifty-four rats divided into six groups and three sub-groups were exposed to 25, 50 and 75% dose of each of the pesticide's LD50 for 4 h at 3 days interval in an inhalation chamber for 28 days. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TOT_BIL), creatinine and urea assay showed significant increase at the aforementioned doses in comparison to the control group. The red blood cell counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations were significantly altered in the rats administered varying doses of the pesticides when compared with the control. Similar result was obtained for the differential white blood cell counts. Histopathological examinations of the liver tissue of rats showed infiltrated sinusoids, traces of karypyknosis, vacuolar degeneration and microvesicular steatosis while that of the renal tissue showed glomeruli atrophy leading to widened Bowman's spaces as well as few shrunken glomeruli and varied level of degenerative tubular changes to tubular necrosis.

Conclusion

This study established that individual pesticides and their mixture is toxic to the liver and kidney, as evidenced by the elevated markers of renal and liver functions and distortion of the structure of both organs as revealed by their photomicrographs. Therefore, it is a matter of public health significance to regularly monitor pesticide residues in foods and humans in order to assess the food safety risk and population exposure to pesticides.

The effect of ethion on erythrocyte deformability

Organophosphates cause increased oxidative susceptibility of erythrocytes and changes in erythrocyte deformability ability. We aim is to investigate the role of ethion (ETH) on erythrocyte deformability and to show whether vinpocetine (VIN) and carnosine (CAR) are protective against these changes. The study was performed on Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 220 ± 40 g and 4-5 months old. Six experimental groups were composed of 10 rats per group. Hematological parameters, erythrocyte deformability, % hemolysis, 2.3bisphosphoglycerate, and methemoglobin values were measured in blood samples taken after 10 days of drug application. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin amount, hematocrit value, serum potassium level, and erythrocyte deformability decreased in the ETH group. Leukocyte, platelet count, methemoglobin amount, and % hemolysis rates increased in the ETH group. The values of the ETH + CAR and ETH + VIN groups were found to be closer to the control group. In organophosphate poisoning such as ETH, the deformability ability of erythrocytes exposed to constant oxidative stress is changing, and therefore their ability to deliver oxygen to tissues is negatively affected. VIN and CAR may have improve on erythrocyte deformability in this type of intoxication.

Studies on oral subacute toxicity of cartap in male mice

S-[3-carbamoylsulfanyl-2-(dimethylamino)propyl] carbamothioate (Cartap) (CAS number: 15263-52-2) is a synthetic insecticide of thiocarbamates group that is extensively used in field of agriculture for controlling of several pests like rice stem borer, leaf folder pests in paddy field and diamond back moth, aphids in cabbage and cauliflower crops. Cartap, as a pesticide has not been investigated yet for its effect on vital organs and biochemical stress in vivo and the present study was undertaken to evaluate the same in Swiss albino mice. For this purpose male mice were given three different dose levels of cartap, i.e. 5 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg body weight respectively, for 28 days orally. Water was used as vehicle to dissolve cartap. Oral administration of cartap caused significant increase in serum biomarkers, tissue oxidants and decrease in antioxidants along with histopathological findings in liver, kidney and brain tissues. Thus, present study showed that in vivo exposure to cartap induces tissue damage probably via oxidative stress in important vital organs of mice.

Oxidative stress modulation by Rosmarinus officinalis in creosote-induced hepatotoxicity

Coal tar is a significant product generated from coal pyrolysis. Coal tar can be utilized as raw materials for various industries. It is also a type of raw material from which phenols, naphthalenes, and anthracene can be extracted. The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of coal tar creosote to induce oxidative stress and biochemical perturbations in rat liver and the role of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in ameliorating its toxic effects. Male Wister Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven each, group I served as control; group II treated with rosemary (10 mL of water extract/kg BW for 21 days), group III received coal tar creosote (200 mg/4 mL olive oil/kg BW for 3 days), and group IV treated with both rosemary and coal tar creosote. The administration of coal tar creosote significantly caused elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction in the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). A significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content was also observed. Liver aminotransferases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)] and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) were significantly decreased while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was increased. Rosemary pretreatment to coal tar creosote-treated rats decreased LPO level and normalized GPx, GR, SOD, CAT, and GST activities, while GSH content was increased. Also, liver AST, ALT, AlP, and LDH were maintained near normal level due to rosemary treatment. In conclusion, rosemary has beneficial effects and could be able to antagonize coal tar creosote toxicity.

Selenium modulates β-cyfluthrin-induced liver oxidative toxicity in rats

This study was designed to investigate the possibility of β-cyfluthrin to induce oxidative stress and biochemical perturbations in rat liver and the role of selenium in alleviating its toxic effects. Male Wister rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven each, group I served as control, group II treated with selenium (200 µg/kg BW), group III received β-cyfluthrin (15 mg/kg BW, 1/25 LD50 ), and group IV treated with β-cyfluthrin plus selenium. Rats were orally administered their respective doses daily for 30 days. The administration of β-cyfluthrin caused elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR). A decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content was also observed. Liver aminotransferases (AST and ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were decreased, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was increased. Selenium in β-cyfluthrin-induced liver oxidative injury of the rats modulated LPO, CAT, SOD, GSH, GST, GPx, and GR. Also, liver AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH were maintained near normal level due to selenium treatment. It is concluded that selenium scavenges reactive oxygen species and render a protective effect against β-cyfluthrin toxicity.

Oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity induced by synthetic pyrethroids-organophosphate insecticides mixture in rat

The effects of organophosphorus [fenitrothion (FNT)] and pyrethroid (lambda-cyhalothrin (LC)] pesticides mixture on the antioxidant defense system and liver function enzymes in rat liver were assessed. Various concentrations of FNT+LC were incubated with liver homogenate at 37°C for various incubation times. Results showed that FNT plus LC caused a significant concentration-dependent and time-related inhibition of glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and reduction of glutathione (GSH) content. The depletion of GSH might indicate that reactive oxygen species could be involved in the toxic effects of FNT plus LC. In addition, a significant inhibition in transaminases (AST, ALT) and phosphatases (AcP, AlP) activities was observed. On the other hand, FNT+LC increased the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. It can be concluded that such biomarkers may be used in assessing adverse/toxic effects of pesticides as environmental stressors.