Immune modulating effects of malathion with the role of bradykinin potentiating factor in juvenile male rats

Abstract

Background: The use of malathion as an insecticide, is accompanied by the appearance of many adverse effects. Objective: To verify the immunological characteristics of malathion and to determine whether Bradykinin Potentiating Factor (BPF) is able to counteract these effects, and to emphasize the affected pathophysiological mechanisms. Material and methods: Juvenile rats were divided into three groups: animals received a vehicle (control group), malathion (malathion group), or malathion then BPF (BPF group). Each group included three subgroups, which were sacrificed two days after two, four, and six weeks of malathion exposure respectively. BPF subgroups were exposed to malathion, then treated with single, double, and triple successive IP injections of BPF respectively. Results: The concentration of total globulin, total immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM, circulatory immune complexes, total number of RBC & platelets, and hemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly in malathion-exposed animals. The number of total leucocytes and lymphocytes increased. Histopathological changes of bone marrow and spleen after malathion exposure were consistent with these findings. Recovery of bone marrow and splenic changes, normalization of peripheral blood elements, reduction of elevated proinflammatory markers (IL-2, IL-4 and TNF-α), total plasma peroxide and oxidative stress index (OSI) while increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were observed after double and triple injections of BPF. Our results suggest that exposure to malathion has negative effects on immune function that was mediated through alteration of cytokines, antioxidants and direct damage of BM. Also, BPF can ameliorate both physiological and morphological changes.