Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
Functional Characterization of Carboxylesterases in Insecticide Resistant House Flies, Musca Domestica
Published on: August 23, 2018
Cytotoxic effects of permethrin on mouse liver and spleen cells
Gislaine Cristina Roma1, Patrícia Rosa De Oliveira, Gervásio Henrique Bechara
1Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Avenida 24 A, 1515, 13506-900-Rio Claro, SP, Brazil, CP 199.
Abstract:
This study analyzed the histopathological and histochemical effects of different dosages of permethrin on liver and spleen cells of mice, in order to evaluate the toxic potential of this substance and the possible impairments that this chemical causes in different tissues of nontarget organisms (laboratorial conditions). The results showed that permethrin caused severe alterations in the liver cells, reducing the size of the nuclei and causing hydropic degeneration of the hepatocytes, in addition to stimulating the proliferation of Kupffer cells, altered the amount of proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes and congested the hepatic capillaries. As for the spleen of the treated mice, no alterations were observed in the morphology in relation to the control group, what would suggest that the spleen would continue performing its functions, without suffering morphological alterations even in the presence of the toxic agent.
Insights
Permethrin exposure caused significant liver damage in mice, including cellular changes and capillary congestion. However, the spleen remained unaffected, indicating its resilience to this pesticide.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Histopathology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Permethrin is a widely used insecticide with potential non-target organism toxicity.
- Understanding its effects on mammalian organs is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathological and histochemical effects of permethrin on mouse liver and spleen.
- To evaluate the toxic potential and tissue-specific impairments caused by permethrin.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to varying dosages of permethrin.
- Liver and spleen tissues were analyzed using histopathological and histochemical techniques.
Main Results:
- Permethrin induced severe liver cell alterations: reduced nuclear size, hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes, Kupffer cell proliferation, altered cytoplasmic components (proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, vacuoles), and hepatic capillary congestion.
- No significant morphological alterations were observed in the spleen of permethrin-treated mice compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Permethrin exhibits significant hepatotoxicity in mice.
- The spleen appears morphologically resilient to permethrin exposure, suggesting preserved function despite the presence of the toxic agent.
