Effect of diethyl phthalate on rat testicular antioxidant system: A dose-dependent toxicity study

The experiment was designed to study toxic effects of diethyl phthalate (DEP) on testicular lipid peroxidation and testicular antioxidants in male Wistar rats for long-term exposure periods at varying concentrations. Healthy male rats were randomly assigned to five groups of six each. Group I male rats were fed on normal diet and water. Group II male rats were maintained on normal diet mixed with corn oil as oil control. Group III, IV and V rats were given diethyl phthalate (DEP) dissolved in minimal quantity of corn oil mixed with the diet at 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg of the diet/day, respectively, for 150 days. Body weight, testis weights, epididymis weight and the serum testosterone and androstenedione levels showed a significant decrease in the three treated groups. Testicular lipid peroxidation showed a significant dose-dependent increase, while testicular antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly decreased. These results confirm that, continuous administration of DEP at various concentrations on a long-term basis induces increased levels of lipid peroxidation leading to dose-dependent reduction in the testicular antioxidant defense system. Increased free radical production at various doses of DEP would result in impairment of the defense system leading to an enhanced dose-dependent reproductive toxic effect.     

Dose-dependent sub-chronic toxicity of diethyl phthalate in female Swiss mice

The experiment was conducted to study the after effects of administering DEP at different doses to female Swiss mice for a period of 90 days. Group I mice were fed on normal diet and water ad libitum. Group II mice were maintained on normal diet mixed with corn oil at 8.25 mg/kg of the diet/day as oil control. Group III, IV and V mice were given diethyl phthalate dissolved in corn oil mixed with the diet at 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg of the diet/day, which is approximately equal to 1.25, 3.125 and 6.25 mg/kg body weight/day. A significant dose dependent increase was observed in serum acid phosphatase (ACP) whereas, serum and liver triglycerides levels showed a significant increase only in the high-dose treated group. Significant dose-dependent increase in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST and ALT) and liver glycogen was observed. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly increased only in 25 and 50 ppm DEP-treated mice. Liver cholesterol was significantly increased in all the treated groups. Liver histology by light microscopy showed intracellular vacuolations in all the treated groups which was much more evident in the 25 and 50 ppm DEP-treated mice while hepatocellular degeneration and hypertrophy of the hepatocytes was evident in 50 ppm DEP-treated mice. Proliferation of mitochondria and peroxisomes was evident in the electron micrographs of the 10 ppm DEP-treated mice while 25 and 50 ppm DEP-treated mice showed increase in lipid droplets and severe mitochondrial proliferation.     

Lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes induced by chlorpyrifos and the protective effect of zinc

Male and female rats were orally administered chlorpyrifos at a dose of 6.75 mg kg⁻¹ body weight for 28 consecutive days. An additional chlorpyrifos group received zinc (227 mg l⁻¹) in drinking water throughout the experimental duration. Two groups more served as controls; one received water only and the other received zinc in drinking water. Administration of chlorpyrifos resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes of male and female rats. In contrast, zinc-chlorpyrifos treatment showed insignificant differences (p ? 0.05-0.01), compared to control results, regarding LPO, SOD, GST and CAT. In case of AChE, supplementation of zinc showed little alteration in the activity of this enzyme in the rats treated with chlorpyrifos. It can deduce that chlorpyrifos induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes of male and female rats. The overall results reveal the pronounced ameliorating effect of zinc in chlorpyrifos-intoxicated rats and variation in the response of male and female animals regarding alteration in the level of some biochemical parameters and LPO.     

Effect of ginger supplementation on developmental toxicity induced by fenitrothion insecticide and/or lead in albino rats

Evaluation of the antioxidant and antiteratogenic role of ginger Zingiber officinale polyphenols against the toxicity induced by fenitrothion and/or lead in female albino rats were investigated. Adult virgin females were divided into 8 groups and were orally treated as follow: control (C), 1% w/w of ginger (G), 120 μg/animal lead as lead acetate (L), 10 mg/kg of fenitrothion (F), lead (120 μg/animal) fenitrothion (10 mg/kg) (LF), ginger (1%w/w) + fenitrothion (10 mg/kg) (GF), ginger (1%w/w) + lead (120 μg/animal) (GL), ginger (1%w/w) + lead (120 μg/animal) + fenitrothion (10 mg/kg) (GLF). Treatments were expanded for 28 days before pregnancy and during gestation period from zero to 6th day. Blood samples were taken at the day 20th of gestation and animals were sacrificed to investigate the effect of tested substances on dams and development of their fetuses. Inhibition in AchE in (F) and (LF) groups and elevation in plasma AchE in (L) groups were observed. Elevation in oxidative stress biomarker malondialdehyde (MDA) was recorded in all intoxicated groups concomitants with reduction in total reduced glutathione (GSH) and reduction in the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST). Elevation in liver function biomarkers alanin amintransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and reduction in plasma total protein and albumin were recorded in (F), (L) and (LF). Supplementation with ginger in diet attenuates the alteration in MDA, GSH, GST, ALT and AST, however, it failed to counteract the effect of F, L and LF on AchE, total protein and albumin. Significant alterations in maternal toxicity were recorded in (GF, GL, LF and GLF) compared with control group. Also, parameters of embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity indicated significant decrease in litter number that observed in F and L and the number of dead fetus/dam and litters number increased in L group. Supplementation with ginger decreased each of the number of died fetus, growth retardation and fetal length, while, it increased fetal weight. As regards to, teratological aspects, the percentage of skeletal malformations and visceral anomalies were observed in all feti obtained from treated groups with different percentages. Supplementation with ginger slightly attenuates the developmental toxicity of fenitrothion and/or lead.     

Oxidative damage, biochemical and histopathological alterations in rats exposed to chlorpyrifos and the antioxidant role of zinc

The protective effects of zinc on liver and kidney injury induced by chlorpyrifos (CPF) were investigated in rats. Male and female rats were orally administered CPF at a dose of 6.75 mg kg⁻¹ body weight for 28 consecutive days. An additional CPF group received zinc (227 mg l⁻¹) in drinking water throughout the experimental duration. Two groups more served as controls. Administration of CPF resulted in a significant increase in serum lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, while induced significant decreases in the activities of plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) either in male or female rats. Similarly, a significant increase in the levels of various serum marker enzymes [e.g. aminotransferases (AST and ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)] and increase the level of total protein, uric acid and creatinine. In contrast, co-administration of zinc to CPF-treated animals restored most of these biochemical parameters to within normal levels. In case of AChE, supplementation of zinc showed little alteration in the activity of this enzyme especially in male rats treated with CPF. CPF caused histopathological change in liver and kidneys of male and female rats. However, zinc administration to CPF-treated animals resulted in overall improvement in liver and kidneys damage, emphasizing its antioxidant role. In light of the available data, it can deduce that CPF-induced lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, liver and kidneys damage in male and female rats, and conjunction supplementation of zinc has resulted in pronounced ameliorating effect.     

Prallethrin induced serum biochemical changes in Wistar rats

The present study was designed as a repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study in rodent. All the rats were randomly divided into five groups (C1, C2, T1, T2 and T3) each containing 10 Wistar rats (5 male and 5 female). Group C1 served as control as no treatment was administered. Group C2 was administered groundnut oil (1 ml/100 g b.wt) and served as vehicle control. Group T1 was put on high dose 153.33 mg/kg b.wt (LD50/3), while group T2 received intermediate dose of 92 mg/kg b.wt (LD50/5), and group T3 was administered low dose of 46 mg/kg b.wt (LD50/10) of Prallethrin suspended in 1 ml/100 g b.wt of groundnut oil. Blood samples were collected from all groups on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day of the experiment for measurement of serum glucose, serum urea, serum triglyceride, serum cholesterol, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP). According to data obtained on the 7th day of the study, no statistically significant change in any of the treatment groups was observed as compared to the control group. On the 14th day of the study, in comparison to the control group, triglyceride level and ALP activity were found to be significantly increased in the group T1 female and group T1 male rats respectively. On the 21st day of the study, compared to the controls, significant increase in cholesterol and ALP levels were present in both T1 and T2 females and in addition to this total protein and triglycerides levels were also significantly increased in group T1 female rats. In group T1 male total protein, triglycerides, ALT and ALP activity was found to be increased significantly as compared to healthy control group. On the 28th day, all the recorded biochemical parameters were found to be significantly increased, except BUN and AST in group T1 female rats. In group T2 female rats, significantly increased cholesterol, ALT and ALP levels were observed. In group T3 female rats, none of the parameters were found to be significantly affected. Among male rats, only total protein level was found to be increased in groups T2 and T3. Whereas, total protein, triglyceride, ALT and ALP were significantly elevated in group T1 male rats at the end of the study. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that subacute oral administration of Prallethrin; at dose levels of 1/3 LD50 and 1/5 LD50 for 28 days induces moderate toxic effects on different biochemical parameters.     

Mating pair combinations of insecticide-treated male and female Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) planthoppers influence protein content in the male accessory glands (MAGs) and vitellin content in both fat bodies and ovaries of adult females

The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is an insect pest in which offspring are produced by the mating of adult males with adult females. This species is a classic case in which pest resurgence is induced by insecticides. In the past, studies of resurgence mechanisms have focused on insecticide-induced stimulation of reproduction in adult females. To date, however, the role that males play in the resurgence mechanisms of N. lugens has not been investigated. The aim of the present study is to examine changes in protein levels in male accessory glands (MAGs) induced by the insecticides triazophos and deltamethrin and to determine their relationship with vitellin content in the fat bodies and ovaries of adult females in the context of mating pairs. Our results show that protein content in MAGs is significantly affected by male mating status, insecticide type, and insecticide concentration. Insecticide application induced increased protein levels in MAGs. A greater quantity of MAG products was transferred to females via mating. Thus, protein levels in MAGs significantly decreased after mating. Experimental matings indicate that vitellin content in both fat bodies and ovaries of adult females in mating pairs consisting of a treated male and an untreated female (♂_t × ♀_ck) is significantly greater than that of females in pairs consisting of an untreated male and an untreated female (♂_ck × ♀_ck). Under various concentrations of the two insecticides, vitellin levels are highest in mating pairs consisting of a treated male and a treated female (♂_t × ♀_t), followed by mating pairs consisting of an untreated male with a treated female (♂_ck × ♀_t). These findings demonstrate that (1) insecticides have an effect on males; (2) insecticide effect can be transferred to females; and (3) the reproductive effect of insecticides is strongest in mating pairs in which both the males and females are treated compared to pairs in which only one individual is treated. These findings provide valuable information about the role of males in pesticide-induced resurgence of N. lugens.     

Comparison of the inhibition effect of different anticoagulants on vitamin K epoxide reductase activity from warfarin-susceptible and resistant rat

Anti-vitamin K drugs are widely used as anticoagulant in human thromboembolic diseases. Similar compounds have also been used as rodenticides to control rodent population since 1950s. Massive use of first generation anticoagulants, especially warfarin, has lead to the development of genetic resistances in rodents. Similar resistances have been reported in human. In both cases, polymorphisms in VKORC1 (Vitamin K epoxide reductase subunit 1), the subunit 1 of the VKOR (Vitamin K epoxide reductase) complex, were involved. In rats (Rattus norvegicus), the Y139F mutation confers a high degree of resistance to warfarin. Little is known about the in vitro consequences of Y139F mutation on inhibitory effect of different anticoagulants available. A warfarin-susceptible and a warfarin-resistant Y139F strain of wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) are maintained in enclosures of the Lyon College of Veterinary Medicine (France). Using liver microsomes from susceptible or resistant rats, we studied inhibition parameters by warfarin (K_i = 0.72 ± 0.1 μM; 29 ± 4.1 μM), chlorophacinone (K_i = 0.08 ± 0.01 μM; 1.6 ± 0.1 μM), diphacinone (K_i = 0.07 ± 0.01 μM; 5.0 ± 0.8 μM), coumachlor (K_i = 0.12 ± 0.02 μM; 1.9 ± 0.2 μM), coumatetralyl (K_i = 0.13 ± 0.02 μM; 3.1 ± 0.4 μM), difenacoum (K_i = 0.07 ± 0.01 μM; 0.26 ± 0.02 μM), bromadiolone (K_i = 0.13 ± 0.02 μM; 0.91 ± 0.07 μM), and brodifacoum (K_i = 0.04 ± 0.01 μM; 0.09 ± 0.01 μM) on VKOR activity. Analysis of the results leads us to highlight different anticoagulant structural elements, which influence inhibition parameters in both susceptible and Y139F resistant rats.     

Selenium and vitamin E, natural antioxidants, protect rat cerebral cortex against dimethoate-induced neurotoxicity

Pesticides have been used in agriculture to enhance food production by eradicating unwanted insects and controlling disease vectors, nevertheless occupational exposure to high levels of these compounds can lead to neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by serious oxidative and neurotoxic effects. However, there is a lack of consensus as to which determinations are best used to quantify future risks arising from xenobiotic exposure and natural antioxidant interventions. Our study aims to determine the potential ability of selenium and/or vitamin E, used as nutritional supplements, to alleviate oxidative stress in cerebral cortex tissue induced by dimethoate, an organophosphorus pesticide. Adult Wistar rats were exposed either to dimethoate (0.2 g/L of drinking water), dimethoate + selenium (0.5 mg/kg of diet), dimethoate + vitamin E (100 mg/kg of diet), or dimethoate + selenium + vitamin E, for 30 days. Exposure to dimethoate increased malondialdehyde levels, protein carbonyl groups and advanced oxidation protein products, while Na⁺K⁺-ATPase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased in the cerebral cortex. An increase in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and a decrease in glutathione, non-protein thiols and vitamin C levels were observed. Administration of selenium and/or vitamin E through the diet in dimethoate treated rats ameliorated the biochemical parameters cited above. The histological findings confirmed the biochemical results. The model of this study that we employed characterized the relationships between dimethoate-induced neurotoxicity and its alleviation by natural antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E. These elements may be considered beneficial for the protection of cerebral cortex against injury induced by dimethoate.     

Effect of fenvalerate on the reproduction and fitness costs of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens and its resistance mechanism

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål, is a primary insect pest of cultivated rice, and its effective control is essential for crop production. However, in recent years, outbreaks of the brown planthopper have occurred more frequently in China. In order to determine the causes and mechanisms of insecticide-induced BPH resurgence and perform population management, we conducted the following studies. By the topical application method, our results showed that, fenvalerate acted as stimulus of fecundity from 3.50 × 10⁻³ to 2.02 × 10⁻² μg/female in the BPH. Apart from 7.00 × 10⁻³ μg/female, the number of hatched nymphs was increased gradually with an increase in application dose from 3.50 × 10⁻³ to 1.74 × 10⁻² μg/female. After continuous selection with fenvalerate for 11 generations by the rice-stem dipping method, a resistant strain was achieved with medium resistance to fenvalerate (RR 39.22). Life table study indicated that the resistant strain (G4 and G8) showed reproductive advantages, including increased female ratio, copulation rate and fecundity. But the hatchability of resistant strain was lower. The survival rate and emergence rate were significantly lower in G4 and G8 resistant strain. Resistant strains in G4 and G8 showed a fitness advantage (1.04 and 1.11), and the number of offspring in G8 generation was higher than that in G4 generation. The significant difference detected between resistant insects (G4, G5, G8 and G9) and S-strain contains not only the effect of resistant selection but also the effect of continuous rearing itself. Hence it was concluded that the BPH had the potential to develop high resistance against fenvalerate and the induction of the nymphs by sublethal doses of fenvalerate was of importance in the BPH population management, particularly in the predicting. Further studies demonstrated that triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and diethyl maleate (DEM) had no synergism on fenvalerate. However, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) displayed significant synergism in susceptible strain (1.97) and resistant strain (2.73). We concluded that esterase and glutathione S-transferase play little role in fenvalerate detoxification. The increase of the P450-monooxygenases detoxification is an important mechanism for fenvalerate resistance. Because their resistant populations had a fitness advantage, we should pay close attention to the occurrence of BPH and use other functionally different insecticides to control the BPH.     

Modulation of ethion-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress by vitamin E supplementation in male Wistar rats

Organophosphorus insecticides (OPIs) may induce oxidative stress leading to generation of free radicals and alteration in antioxidant system of animals. Many studies reported that enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant may play protective role against OPIs induced toxicity in human and rats. The aim of present study was to investigate the possible protective role of vitamin E on ethion-induced hepatotoxicity in rats using qualitative, quantitative and biochemical approaches. Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were randomly divided into four groups; each group consists of six animals. Animals were treated for a period of 28 days. Group I (control group received corn oil); Group II [ethion treated (2.7 mg/kg bw/day)]; Group III (vitamin E treated (50 mg/kg of bw/day)]; Group IV (ethion + vitamin E treated). Animals were sacrificed after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days by decapitation and liver tissue was used for the measurement of proteins, lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH) content and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Erythrocytes were analyzed for acetyl cholinesterase activity. The result of this study shows that in vivo administration of ethion caused a significant induction of oxidative damage in liver tissue as evidenced by increased level of LPO and decreased GSH content. Ethion toxicity also led to a significant increase in the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GST in liver tissue. In addition, decrease in GR activity was observed in ethion administered rats compared to control. Histopathological findings revealed that exposure to ethion caused damage in liver tissue. However, simultaneous supplementation with vitamin E restored these parameters partially. In conclusion, the results of the current study revealed that ethion-induced toxicity caused lipid peroxidation, alterations in the antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes in liver. Supplementation of vitamin E exhibited protective effect by inhibiting ethion-induced toxicity in liver and erythrocytes.     

Sublethal effects of larval exposure to indoxacarb on reproductive activities of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Sublethal effects of larval exposure to indoxacarb on reproductive activities of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) were studied. The third instar male and female larvae of the diamondback moth were fed with collard leaves dipped with a lethal dose of 20% mortality of indoxacarb in order to determine its impact on reproductive activities of adult survivors. Females from indoxacarb treatment had similar peak calling percentage (100%) and mean calling hours (5.83 ± 0.47 h) compared to control females (92% of peak calling, 5.05 ± 0.55 h of mean calling hours) at the first scotophase, but had slightly lower peak calling percentages and shorter calling hours at the subsequent scotophases. The sex pheromone blend or single component from the blend for P. xylostella elicited similar electroantennography responses compared with those from control males and indoxacarb-treated male survivors. Indoxacarb did not alter the number of eggs produced per female and female longevity. However, larval treatment of males with indoxacarb showed a decreased copulation success rate, and this effect was not observed in identically treated female survivors.     

Functional expression of Helicoverpa armigera CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Elevated oxidative detoxification is a major mechanism responsible for pyrethroid resistance in Helicoverpa armigera from Asia. Constitutive overexpression of CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 was associated with pyrethroid resistance in the YGF strain of H. armigera. CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 were functionally expressed in the W(R) strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) transformed with a plasmid shuttle vector pYES2. The cell lysates prepared from yeast transformed with CYP9A12 and CYP9A14, respectively, exhibited considerable O-demethylation activities against two model substrates p-nitroanisole (0.59 and 0.42 nmol p-nitrophenol min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹) and methoxyresorufin (2.98 and 5.41 pmol resorufin min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹), and clearance activity against the pyrethroid esfenvalerate (8.18 and 4.29 pmol esfenvalerate min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹). These results provide important evidence on the role of CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 in conferring pyrethroid resistance in H. armigera, and also demonstrate that the yeast expression system can provide necessary redox environment for insect P450s to metabolize xenobiotics.     

Prophylactic effect of green tea polyphenols against liver and kidney injury induced by fenitrothion insecticide

The ameliorative effect of daily administrated dose of green tea extract (60 mg polyphenols/animal/day) was investigated on albino rats Rattus norvegicus (150-180 gm) intoxicated with 1/30 and 1/60 LD₅₀ fenitrothion organophosphate insecticide for 28 days. Blood samples were taken at 14 and 28 days for further biochemical parameters. Histopathological studies were carried out in the liver and kidney at the end of the experiment. Significant inhibition in plasma cholinesterase (ChE), a biomarker of Ops, was recorded. Damage in the liver and kidney tissues was observed and confirmed with elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotaransferase (AST), albumin, urea and creatinine, as well as an elevation in the oxidative stress (OS) marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Decrease in total glutathione (GSH) content in erythrocytes and fluctuation in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in plasma was also observed. Green tea supplementation (60 mg/animal/day) partially counteracts the toxic effect of fenitrothion on oxidative stress parameters and repairs tissue damage in the liver and kidney, especially when supplemented to 1/60 LD₅₀ intoxicated animals depending on the duration. It seems that enzyme and metabolite markers of these organs need more time to be restored to the control level.     

Effects of trichlorfon and sodium dodecyl sulphate on antioxidant defense system and acetylcholinesterase of Tilapia nilotica in vitro

The effects of organophosphorus insecticide trichlorfon, surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and the mixture of trichlorfon and SDS on the antioxidant defense system and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in Tilapia nilotica were assessed in vitro. Various concentrations of trichlorfon (0, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 g/L) and SDS (0, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 g/L) were incubated with homogenate of liver and muscle, respectively, at 25 °C for 0, 30, 60 and 90 min. Two concentrations of mixture of trichlorfon and SDS (0.0001 g/L trichlorfon + 0.5 g/L SDS, 0.1 g/L trichlorfon + 0.5 g/L SDS) and 0.0001 g/L trichlorfon, 0.1 g/L trichlorfon, 0.5 g/L SDS and control, were incubated simultaneously with homogenate of liver and muscle, respectively, at 25 °C for 60 min. After incubation, the content of reduced-glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in homogenate of liver were determined, and the activities of AChE in homogenate of muscle were also measured.Treatment with trichlorfon caused a significant concentration-dependent and time-related inhibition of AChE activity at all treatment concentrations and times since trichlorfon is a cholinesterase inhibitor. For the same trichlorfon treatment, an apparent decrease in GSH content was found in concentration of 0.01, 0.1, 1 g/L, whereas no significant alteration in antioxidant enzyme activity were found at all experiment concentrations and times, which might indicate that antioxidant enzymes have not involved in the metabolism of trichlorfon. The depletion of GSH might indicate that ROS could be involved in the toxic effects of trichlorfon. Exposure of SDS can inhibit activities of AChE, GST and CAT at concentrations of 0.5 and/or 1 g/L, which could be due to the denaturing process of SDS to the enzymes. For the mixture exposure of trichlorfon and SDS, the effect of the mixture of 0.0001 g/L trichlorfon and 0.5 g/L SDS on inhibition of AChE shows synergistic other than simple additive of trichlorfon and SDS. The combined effects of chemicals and detergents deserve to be particularly noted. It should be noted that the toxicity experiments were made in tissue homogenates instead of whole organisms. The responses against the toxic compounds will not be the same in both systems.     

Chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress and histological changes in retinas and kidney in rats: Protective role of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant effect of vitamins C and E against oxidative stress, apoptosis and histological changes of kidney and retina in CPF-treated rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups including the control group, the group treated orally with a single dose of CPF (63 mg/kg b.w.), the group injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with vitamin C (250 mg/kg b.w.), and intraperitonealy (i.p.) with vitamin E (150 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 7 days and the group treated with CPF (single dose) and injected with vitamins (for 7 days). The results showed that CPF induced apoptosis and severe oxidative stress as indicated by the significant increase in MDA and sFasL concentration and the significant decrease in GSH concentration in serum. Co-administration of vitamins C and E ameliorate these toxic effects and improved the histological pictures of kidneys and retinas. It could be concluded that combined administration of vitamins C and E is useful in the routine therapy for the protection against tissue damage induced by CPF.     

A study on low dose cypermethrin induced histopathology, lipid peroxidation and marker enzyme changes in male rat

The short term effect of low dose synthetic pyrethroid and insecticide α-cypermethrin was investigated in selected tissues of male albino Wistar strain rats. Cellular antioxidant activities, specific enzyme markers and tissue histopathology were studied using this compound at 5, 10, 25 and 50 mM at given time points during independent experiments. α-Cypermethrin was administered intradermally. Selective tissue responses were determined 6 h post administration employing control and experimental animals using established methods. Different doses of α-cypermethrin increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the brain, heart, liver, kidney and testis of the male rats. Alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme activity levels were altered in these tissues and in the serum. Cytotoxic effects produced by α-cypermethrin were reflected in histopathology sections of the treated tissues. α-Cypermethrin decreased the cellular antioxidant activity, altered marker enzyme activity and effected histopathological changes in the treated animal tissues.     

Effects of sulcotrione [2-(2-chloro-4-mesylbenzoyl)-cyclohexane-1,3-dione] on enzymes involved in tyrosine catabolism and the extent of the resulting tyrosinemia and its relationship with corneal lesions in rats

We aimed to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to sulcotrione on the enzymes involved in tyrosine catabolism and the extent of the resulting tyrosinemia and corneal lesions in rats. Daily oral administration of sulcotrione at 0.1, 0.5, 5, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day markedly inhibited hepatic 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). In response to the tyrosinemia, the activity of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) at each dose level was insignificantly induced and hepatic homogentisic acid oxidase (HGO) at 5, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day was markedly reduced. Repeated oral administration of sulcotrione to rats at doses of 5, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day for 90 days produced corneal lesions with an incidence of 18.8%, 75.0% and 56.3%, respectively. The significant increase in tyrosine levels indicates that the occurrence of corneal lesions in rats exposed to sulcotrione was not only associated with the concentration of tyrosine in the ocular fluid, but also with other, unidentified factors.     

The effects of azadirachtin and nucleopolyhedrovirus on midgut enzymatic profile of Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effects of azadirachtin (AZA) and nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) on midgut enzyme activity in Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Tobacco cutworm) were evaluated. Gut enzyme activities were decreased by AZA and NPV individually and in combination. When S. litura larvae were fed a diet of castor leaves treated with AZA and NPV in bioassays, gut enzyme—acid phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases, adenosine triphosphatases, and lactate dehydrogenase—activities were decreased. There were statistically significant differences (P ? 0.05) in enzyme activities between combined and individual treatment. A synergistic effect of botanical insecticides and virus was found when combined in low doses. These effects are most pronounced in early instars. Maximum weight loss (59-72%) occurred, when AZA and NPV were combined.     

Mechanism of resistance to spinosyn in the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens

Topical laboratory selection of tobacco budworm larvae, Heliothis virescens, with technical spinosad for multiple generations resulted in larvae 1068-fold resistant to topical applications of the insecticide and 316.6-fold resistant to insecticide treated diet as compared to the parental strain. The penetration of 2′-O-methyl[¹⁴C]spinosyn A across the cuticle of the susceptible (parental) and selected (resistant) tobacco budworms increased with time 3-12 h after application. A trend of reduced penetration in the resistant strain was found but the differences were not statistically significant. 2′-O-methyl[¹⁴C]spinosyn A when injected into the hemocoel was not metabolized 96 h after treatment in both the susceptible and resistant strain, suggesting that a change in metabolism was not the mechanism of resistance. Electrophysiological studies indicated that dose-dependent spinosyn A-induced currents occurred in neurons from spinosyn resistant and susceptible (adult) tobacco budworms. At both 10 and 100 nM spinosyn A, however, the amplitude of these currents in the resistant insects was significantly smaller than the amplitude of currents observed from neurons from susceptible tobacco budworm adults. This suggests that neurons from resistant insects have decreased sensitivity to spinosyn A. However, the reduced inward currents in the resistant strain may or may not be related to the mode of action of the spinosyns. No statistically significant cross-resistance was noted for the spinosad resistant tobacco budworms for topical applications of permethrin (Pounce^®), profenofos (Curacron^®), emamectin benzoate (Denim^®), or indoxacarb (Steward^®). A statistically significant reduction in susceptibility to acetamiprid (Mospilan^®) in artificial diet as determined from a resistance ratio of 0.482 was found.