Alteration of hematological and immunological parameters in rabbits treated with parathion

Organophosphorus compounds [OP's] increase endogenous acetylcholine levels by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Their suppression of the immune responses might be due to direct action of acetylcholine on the immune system. To investigate the effect of organophosphorus pesticide, parathion [0.2 mg/kg/day] for 14 consecutive days on the hematological parameters and the immune response of rabbits after different time intervals [1 hour, 24 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the end of treatment]. Blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin content [Hb], packed cell volume [PCV], erythrocytes and leukocytes. The cellular immunity was assessed by lymphocyte proliferation response to mitogens; phytohemagglutinin [PHA] and lipopolysaccharide [LPS] and humoral immunity was measured by plaque-forming cell [PFC] generation and hemagglutination titer [HA]. Also, nonspecific immunity was assayed by phagocytic activity. They showed that parathion caused a significant increase of total leukocytes and monocytes, while blood erythrocytes, Hb and PCV were insignificantly reduced. Parathion caused a pronounced suppressive effect on the cellular immunity [lymphocyte proliferation response to PHA and LPS] and humoral immunity [PFC and HA]. Also, a significant reduction in nonspecific immunity was observed. The suppressive effect of parathion on immune response was time dependent. The results of the present study suggested that the determinations of hematological and immunological parameters are useful tools for evaluating the toxic effects of parathion on animals

Biochemical effects of a single herbicides alchlor and butachlor on female mice

The in vivo effects of a single oral dose of 2 herbicides, alachlor and butachlor [120 and 174 mg/kg, respectively], on 5 enzymes and 2 neurotransmitters were investigated in female mice after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of administration of the herbicides. Both alachlor and butachlor caused significant activation of liver glutathione S-transferase [GST] at all times. Liver acid phosphatase [AcP] was slightly stimulated one day after the administration of herbicides, then decreased by time compared with untreated mice. Hepatic carboxylesterase [Ca E] was slightly, but not significantly, increased at all times. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase [GOT] and glutamate pyruvate transaminase [GPT] were not significantly altered by the tested herbicides. Both alachlor and butachlor caused slight elevation of the concentration of eurotransmitters, L-glutamate and gamma- aminobutyric acid [GABA]