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Effect of subacute poisoning with bifenthrin on locomotor activity, memory retention, haematological, biochemical and
B Nieradko-Iwanicka1, A Borzecki, B Jodlowska-Jedrych
1Chair and Department of Hygiene, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. bnieradkoiwanicka@wp.pl.
Unlabelled:
Bifenthrin (BIF) is a pyrethroid (PYR) insecticide. The target point for PYR's toxic action are voltage sensitive sodium channels in the central nervous system (CNS). Intoxication with PYRs results in motor activity impairment and death in insects. Although PYRs are considered to be safe for mammals, there were numerous cases of pyrethroid poisoning in humans, animals and pets described. The general population is chronically exposed to PYRs via grain products, dust and indoor air. Therefore new questions arise: whether PYRs act in a dose-additive fashion in the course of subacute poisoning, are there other target organs (but brain) for BIF and if there is one common mechanism of its' toxic action in different organs. The objective of this work was to characterize the effect of BIF at the doses of 4 or 8 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) daily for 28 consecutive days on memory and motor activity, hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters in mice. BIF at the doses of 8 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg of body mass was administered i.p. daily to the mice for 28 consecutive days. Motor function was measured on day 1, 7, 14 and 28 and memory retention was tested in a passive avoidance task on day 2, 7, 14 and 28. BIF significantly impaired memory retention on day 2. BIF decreased locomotor activity at every stage of the experiment in a single dose depending manner. No behavioral cumulative effect was observed. Subacute poisoning with the higher dose of BIF caused anaemia, elevated white blood cell count (WBC), elevated alanine transaminase (ALT), superoxide dismuthase (SOD), and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Lymphocyte infiltrates were visualized in the livers.
In Conclusion:
subacute poisoning with BIF decreases locomotor activity in a single dose proportionate manner. BIF damages also the liver and alters blood morphology. The possible common mechanism of these effects can be oxidative stress.
Insights
Subacute exposure to bifenthrin (BIF) insecticide impairs memory and motor activity in mice. This pyrethroid also causes liver damage and alters blood, potentially through oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Pyrethroids (PYRs), including bifenthrin (BIF), target insect sodium channels but human/animal exposure is a concern.
- Chronic low-level exposure to PYRs occurs through various environmental pathways.
- Uncertainty exists regarding dose-additive effects, extra-neural target organs, and common mechanisms of BIF toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of subacute BIF exposure on memory, motor activity, and physiological parameters in mice.
- To explore potential target organs beyond the brain and common toxicological mechanisms of BIF.
Main Methods:
- Mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of BIF (4 or 8 mg/kg) for 28 days.
- Motor activity was assessed on days 1, 7, 14, and 28.
- Memory retention was tested using a passive avoidance task, and hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- BIF significantly impaired memory retention early in the study (day 2).
- Locomotor activity was dose-dependently decreased throughout the 28-day period without cumulative behavioral effects.
- Subacute BIF exposure led to anemia, elevated white blood cell count, increased ALT and SOD, decreased GPx activity, and liver lymphocyte infiltrates.
Conclusions:
- Subacute bifenthrin poisoning reduces locomotor activity proportionally to the dose.
- BIF induces liver damage and hematological alterations in mice.
- Oxidative stress is proposed as a potential unifying mechanism for BIF's toxic effects.
