Abstract

OXIDATIVE STRESS AND BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY THIAMETHOXAM AND ACETAMIPRID INSECTICIDES IN RATS

Akaber T. Keshta*, Ahmed A. Hataba, Hala M. I. Mead and Nouran M. El-Shafey

ABSTRACT

Thiamethoxam (THIA) and Acetamiprid (AC) are neonicotinoid insecticides used for pest control. They have potential toxicity to mammals. The present study aimed to determine the oxidative stress of THIA and AC in plasma and investigate the effect of them on heart, brain and testis tissues in rats. Male albino rats weighing 90-110 g were used. They were divided into 3 groups: negative control, THIA and AC groups. THIA group was received THIA insecticide and AC group was received AC insecticide at 1/10 LD50 of both insecticides by oral administration. Our results demonstrated that THIA and AC induced antioxidant, biochemical and histopathological alterations at tested periods 10, 20 and 30 days. They significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), but they significantly decreased the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) at 10, 20 and 30 days respectively (p<0.001). They significantly elevated the concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Also, these insecticides significantly increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK-MB), whereas they significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and testosterone level at the same periods respectively (p<0.001). Moreover, THIA and AC prompted several changes in histopathological examinations of heart, brain and testis compared to negative control group. This study concluded that THIA and AC could stimulate oxidative toxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Furthermore, the toxic effects of THIA may be more than AC on plasma, heart, brain and testis. So, neonicotinoids should be used in agriculture applications for a planned system.

Keywords: Thiamethoxam, Acetamiprid, rats, oxidative stress, biochemical changes, histopathological changes.