Oxidative stress in animals exposed to cypermethrin: mechanisms of development and possible risks

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to establish the mechanisms of development of oxidative stress during long-term low-dose exposure to cypermethrin on the animal organism and to substantiate possible risks. The work was carried out using Wistar rats, which were intragastrically injected daily with cypermethrin at a dose of 1/1000 LD50 for 60 and 120 days. At the same time, control animals received an appropriate volume of saline solution inside. When removing animals from the experiment, blood was taken to determine the number of red blood cells, the concentration of hemoglobin, glucose, lactic and uric acids, and total bilirubin. In the study of erythrocytes and liver, biochemical parameters characterizing carbohydrate and purine metabolism, processes of xenobiotics biotransformation, pro- and antioxidant processes were determined. Long-term lowdose exposure to cypermethrin for 60 days causes hematotoxic effects in animals, enhancement of xenobiotic biotransformation processes, and slight compensatory restructuring of metabolic processes in the liver. Exposure to 1/1000 LD50 of cypermethrin for 120 days, in addition to the above effects, causes the development of acidosis, enhances pro-oxidant processes, and suppresses the function of the antioxidant defense system and the pentose cycle. The decrease in the activity of the liver antioxidant system is due to glutathione deficiency due to the activation of xenobiotic biotransformation systems and suppression of the activity of glutathione reductase and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, which ultimately leads to the development of oxidative stress. Long-term exposure of animals to low doses of cypermethrin causes hemolysis of erythrocytes, lactic acidosis, activation of prooxidant systems, and inhibition of the antioxidant defense system. Deficiency of carbohydrates and suppression of the activity of the pentose cycle indicate a decrease in the functional activity of the liver and an increased risk of immunosuppression.