Cypermethrin is an artificial pyrethroid insecticide which is broadly used in various applications such as public health protection, agriculture and household pests’ control. However, exposure to cypermethrin may result in several harmful effects on non-target species. This study was designed to investigate the toxic impacts which are caused by exposure to sub-lethal dose of cypermethrin, on antioxidant defense system in liver and kidney. The study was conducted on forty adult albino mice which were randomly distributed into four groups with ten mice each. First group served as healthy control and the rest received cypermethrin for periods of 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Mice were sacrificed and followed by collection and preparation of blood and tissue samples for qualitative, quantitative and biochemical analysis. The findings of this investigation revealed that in vivo administration of cypermethrin lead to remarkable stimulation of oxidative damage in hepatic and renal tissues, which was evidenced by alterations of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as depletion of GSH content associated with increased level of MDA, LOOH and AOPP resulting in induction of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. In addition, cypermethrin treatment significantly inhibited the antioxidant enzymatic activity including SOD, CAT, GR and GPx, while enhanced the activity of GST in Liver and kidney tissues. Furthermore, cypermethrin administration stimulated the activity of liver marker enzymes such as ALT, AST, GGT and ALP. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that cypermethrin intoxication induced formation of free radicals leading to oxidative damage, hepatotoxicity and nephropathy in adult albino mice.
Dr. Saeed A. Alwaleedi* (Sat,) studied this question.