Evaluation of cytogenetic effects of lambda-cyhalothrin on human lymphocytes

The genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was investigated on human lymphocytes cultured in vitro. Utilizing the trypan blue dye exclusion technique assay, the LC50 of LCT was found to be 28 microM. Based on the LC50 value, it is seen that LCT was highly toxic to lymphocyte cultures, among other pyrethroid group of pesticides. Chromosomal aberrations induced by LCT were determined using metaphase plate-spreads of lymphocytes. The chromosomal analysis was recorded using Medi-Image software technology. The analysis revealed that more satellite associations and gaps were found, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared to controls. Comet assay was used to assess the possibility of LCT to induce the damage in DNA, where the increase in comet tail length relates to the extent of DNA single strand breaks. The results presented here indicate that in vitro assays could be used as indicators of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the pesticide.