Effect of ß-cyfluthrin (synthetic pyrethroid) on learning, muscular coordination and oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice.

The present study was planned to evaluate neurotoxic effects of ß-cyfluthrin in female Swiss albino mice. Two doses of ß-cyfluthrin, specifically, one-tenth of median lethal dose (LD50) and one-twentieth of LD50, were selected for the study. Open-field behaviour, exploratory behaviour and emotional status were affected, and animals showed anxiety-like behaviour after ß-cyfluthrin administration. Spatial learning was decreased using the Hebb-Wiliams maze. Acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity significantly decreased in the treated animals. The administration of ß-cyfluthrin caused increased lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in brain tissue. In conclusion, ß-cyfluthrin caused neurotoxicity as well as oxidative damage in the brain of Swiss albino mice at the tested dose levels.

Bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity in rats: involvement of oxidative stress.

Extensive use of synthetic pyrethroids has resulted in serious human health issues. Induction of oxidative stress is an important mechanism of action of most pesticides including pyrethroids. In the present study, we have elucidated the possible role of oxidative stress in bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were administered bifenthrin (3.5 and 7 mg per kg body weight p.o.) for 30 days. Behavioral studies were conducted on a set of randomly selected rats from each treatment group after completion of treatment. Neurochemical parameters were assessed 24 h after the last dose was administered. The selected behavioral and neurochemical endpoints were also assessed 15 days after cessation of exposure to reveal whether the neurobehavioral changes produced by bifenthrin were temporary or permanent. Deficits in motor activity, motor incoordination, and cognitive impairment were observed after exposure to bifenthrin. Levels of biogenic amines viz. dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, i.e. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), epinephrine (EPN), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) altered in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of bifenthrin-treated rats. A decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) occurred in all regions of the brain. Both doses of bifenthrin significantly induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increased protein carbonyl levels in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were also suppressed in all selected regions of the brain. A trend of recovery was, however, observed in all the behavioral and neurochemical endpoints 15 days after withdrawal of exposure. Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity. Our study suggests that long-term exposure to these compounds can produce detrimental effects.

Tartrazine induced neurobiochemical alterations in rat brain sub-regions.

Tartrazine is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye primarily used as a food coloring. The present study aimed to screen the neurobiochemical effects of Tartrazine in Wistar rats after administering the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level. Tartrazine (7.5 mg/kg b.w.) was administered to 21 day old weanling rats through oral gavage once daily for 40 consecutive days. On 41st day, the animals were sacrificed and brain sub regions namely, frontal cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum were used to determine activities of anti-oxidant enzymes viz. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-Stransferase (GST), Glutathione Reductase (GR) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and levels of lipid peroxides using Thio-barbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) assay. Our investigation showed a significant decrease in SOD and CAT activity, whereas there occurred a decline in GST and GR activity with an increase in GPx activity to counteract the oxidative damage caused by significantly increased levels of lipid peroxides. The possible mechanism of this oxidative damage might be attributed to the production of sulphanilc acid as a metabolite in azofission of tartrazine. It may be concluded that the ADI levels of food azo dyes adversely affect and alter biochemical markers of brain tissue and cause oxidative damage.

Curcumin modulates oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by a type II fluorinated pyrethroid, beta-cyfluthrin.

Present study examines the possibility of ß-cyfluthrin (ß-CYF) induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, histopathological alterations and the role of curcumin (CUR) in alleviating its toxic effects. CUR is a naturally occurring phenolic compound of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and is used as a spice, food-coloring agent and in cosmetics and medicines. CUR provides vital protection against many pathological conditions due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Male Swiss albino mice were distributed into six groups, I: control, II: CUR (0.2%), III: ß-CYF low dose (1/20 of LD50), IV: ß-CYF high dose (1/10 of LD50), V: ß-CYF low dose + CUR and VI: ß-CYF high dose + CUR. Mice were orally administered their respective doses daily for 21 days. ß-CYF caused elevation in AST, ALT, LPO and decline in GPx, CAT and SOD activities. A significant decrease in MI and increase in chromosomal aberrations, TL, TI and TM was recorded in ß-CYF exposed groups. CUR co-administration modulated AST, ALT, LPO, GPx, CAT and SOD activity. CUR supplementation improved the MI and reduced the chromosomal aberrations, TL, TI and TM. ß-CYF caused serious pathological alterations in liver and these were alleviated by CUR. It is concluded that CUR scavenges ROS and renders a protection against ß-CYF genotoxicity.

Neurodevelopmental consequences of gestational and lactational exposure to pyrethroids in rats.

Indiscriminate use of pyrethroids has raised serious health related concerns, especially about their effects on children. The present study was designed to assess the developmental neurotoxicity of two pyrethroids; bifenthrin (BIF) and ß-cyfluthrin (CYF) administered at 1/15 of LD50 in rats. Pregnant females were exposed to the test compounds orally throughout gestation and lactation periods. Neonates were weighed and sexed at birth and were observed for any gross abnormality. Growth, viability and weaning indices were calculated during the lactation period. Exposure to both the compounds did not alter the physical developmental parameters viz. eye opening, pinna detachment, and fur appearance. CYF significantly impaired growth and survivability of pups. Behavioral endpoints assessed in neonates (surface righting, pivoting, and negative geotaxis reflex) as well as adults (motor activity and motor coordination) exhibited marked effect of CYF treatment. Administration of BIF to pregnant dams impaired pivoting in neonates. Decreased locomotion in the open-field and impaired rota-rod performance were also witnessed in BIF-exposed animals. Enhanced oxidative stress was seen in corpus striatum, cerebellum, and hippocampus regions of the brain; reduced catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured in BIF and CYF treated weanlings. Acetylcholinesterase activity was also found to be lowered following administration of both compounds at PND 21. The present results suggest that exposure to pyrethroids during critical periods of growth can induce long term effects on the behavior of animals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1761-1770, 2016.

Beta-cyfluthrin induced neurobehavioral impairments in adult rats.

Beta-cyfluthrin (CYF) is a commonly used synthetic pyrethroid having both agricultural and domestic applications. The present study aimed to evaluate the neurobehavioural effects of beta-cyfluthrin in adult rats administered at doses 25 mg/kg body weight/day and 12.5 mg/kg body weight/day for a period of 30 days. Motor coordination and spatial memory were found to be impaired by beta-cyfluthrin. Levels of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), epinephrine (EPN), and serotonin (5-HT) decreased in frontal cortex, corpus striatum and hippocampus of treated rats. At the same time, significantly elevated levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and nor-epinephrine (NE) were measured. Beta-cyfluthrin inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in all the regions of the brain. Hippocampal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) expression was reduced 3.1 and 4.7 fold by the two doses respectively. Impairment of the antioxidant defense system, evident by decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was seen in the treated rats. The neurochemical alterations manifested were more pronounced in the high dose group as the effects persisted even after withdrawal of exposure.

Evaluation of teratogenic potential of cyfluthrin, a synthetic pyrethroid in Swiss albino mice.

A toxicity study was planned to assess the teratogenic potential of cyfluthrin that is widely used as a household insecticide to control mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches. Pregnant Swiss albino mice of one group were orally administered two doses of the pesticide (16 mg/kg and 32 mg/kg body weight) daily during the organogenetic phase (days 5-14) of gestation. The second group received the same two doses daily during the maturation phase (days 14-18) of gestation. The animals receiving the higher dose exhibited burrowing behaviour, which is a characteristic symptom of pyrethroid poisoning. The autopsies were performed on the 18th day of gestation and routine teratological observations were made. No external malformations occurred in any of the fetus. The higher dose significantly reduced the number of live fetuses, litter size and increased the resorption of embryos when administered during organogenesis, while exposure to the pesticide during the maturation phase did not significantly affect the reproductive parameters. During both the phases, the higher dose reduced the maternal weight gain and the average weight of the fetuses. The fetal anomalies observed were reduced ossification of skull bones, widened cranial sutures, short or absent ribs, hydrocephaly of the ventricles, microphthalmia, anophthalmia, pulmonary edema and subcutaneous edema.

Blood levels of organochlorine pesticide residues and risk of reproductive tract cancer among women from Jaipur, India.

Residues of organochlorine pesticides are integral part of our environment. Because of their strong lipophilic and non-biodegradable nature, organisms at higher trophic levels in the food chain tend to accumulate them. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of organochlorine pesticides upon the occurrence of reproductive tract cancers in women from Jaipur, India. Blood samples were collected from 150 females. In that group, 100 females suffered from reproductive tract cancers like cervical, uterine, vaginal and ovarian cancers, while the rest did not suffer from cancers or any other major disease and were treated as control group. The collected blood samples were subjected to pesticide extraction and analyzed with the help of gas chromatography. The pesticides detected were benzene hexa chlororide and its isomers, dieldrin, heptachlor, dichloro diphenyl trichloro ethane and its metabolites. The data obtained indicate that the organochlorine pesticide residue levels were significantly higher in all the cancer patients as compared with the control group.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in milk and blood of women from Anupgarh, Rajasthan, India.

Anupgarh is the most fertile area of Rajasthan state where a variety of seasonal crops are grown. The availability of three manmade canals has enhanced the agricultural activities in this area. The farmers use huge amounts of pesticides to increase the crop productivity. Exposure of humans to these hazardous chemicals occurs directly in the fields and indirectly due to consumption of contaminated diet, or by inhalation or by dermal contact. The organochlorine pesticides are reported to be lipophilic and their presence in human milk and blood has been documented in different parts of the world. Blood and milk samples were collected from lactating women who were divided into four groups on the basis of different living standards viz residence area, dietary habits, working conditions and addiction to tobacco. The level of total organochlorine pesticides in blood ranged from 3.319mg/L-6.253mg/L while in milk samples it ranged from 3.209Mdash;4.608 mg/L. The results are in concurrence with the reports from other countries.