Ameliorative effect of glutathione supplementation against imidacloprid toxication in Japanese quails

Imidacloprid is an insecticide belongs to the new active group nitroguandine which has outstanding potency and systemic action for crop protection against pests. It is one of the insecticides that causes oxidative stress in cells leading to glutathione deficiency. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of glutathione 0.55mg/ kg body weight against the toxic effect of 1/50 LD50 of imidacloprid insecticide in male Japanese quails [Coturnix coturnix japonica]. Sixty male quails were divided into 4 groups, the first one served as a control, the second received glutathione only, the third group was treated with imidacloprid and the fourth was administrated both glutathione and imidacloprid conjointly. Birds were treated orally for either three or six weeks followed a recovery period for 3 weeks. The data obtained revealed a marked increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, glucose, total lipids, total cholesterol and createnine of quails treated with imidacloprid only, whereas variable levels of amelioration were detected in treated groups with glutathione plus imidacloprid, especially in levels of glucose, AST activity and createnine after 6 weeks of treatment. On the other hand, a highly significant decrease in total proteins, albumin and globulin were found in the birds treated with imidacloprid alone, but these returned to levels close to normal in the quails treated with glutathione plus imidacloprid. Albumin/ globulin ratio and uric acid level were not significantly changed in all groups. In general, there was appreciable improvement after the recovery period

Physiological study about imidacloprid toxicity and the role of vitamin "C" as a protective agent on Japanese quails

Imidacloprid belongs to the group of nitroguanidines. Many representatives of this class of compounds and imidacloprid in particular, have an excellent insecticide action. Among the various hazards associated with insecticide use is the possibility of its biological accumulation which produces real problems, considering that many animal tissues and milk are ingested by human beings, which may cause clinical and subclinical effects leading to losses in animal performance or in residue contamination of animal products which may later be consumed by humans. Thus, the disappearance of insecticide residues at a given location does not mean the end of the problem, but it might be translocated, bioconcentrated or converted into more dangerous compounds. The present study was designed to evaluate toxic effects of imidacloprid insecticide and possible ameliorating role of vitamin C on Japanese quails. The tested quails divided into four groups, the first group served as control, the second group treated with vitamin C only, the third group treated with imidacloprid singly and the fourth group treated with imidacloprid combined with vitamin C for 3 and 6 weeks of treatment and 3 weeks of recovery periods. Serum biochemical parameters were measured, blood glucose level, cholinesterase [AchE], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] activities, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/ G ratio, total lipid and total cholesterol. In the same time ALT, AST, total protein, total lipid and total cholesterol were measured in liver and brain tissues. The data obtained revealed insignificant changes after quails treated with vitamin C singly in all biochemical parameters [serum and tissues] throughout the experimental periods. Highly significant increases were observed in serum glucose level, LDH, ALT, AST, ALP activities total lipid and cholesterol in imidacloprid treated group during the experimental period and after imidacloprid combined with vitamin C. These increases were observed after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment. In the same time, significant inhibition in cholinesterase activity in imidacloprid treated group with or without vitamin C was detected. Furthermore, significant decrease were observed in serum total protein, albumin and globulin of groups treated with imidacloprid only, whereas a marked amelioration was detected in these parameters in addition to A/ G ratios in quails treated with imidacloprid + vitamin C through the experimental periods. Creatinine revealed significant increases in imidacloprid treated group during the experimental periods. No alterations were recorded in creatinine concentration of groups treated with both imidacloprid and vitamin C specially after 6 weeks. Serum uric acid recorded insignificant changes in all treated groups. However, highly significant increases were recorded in ALT and AST activities in liver and kidney after treatment with imidacloprid along or combined with vitamin C till the end of the experiment. In addition, significant decreases were observed in liver and kidney total lipids and in liver total cholesterol after treatment with imidacloprid throughout the experimental periods. Also, significant decrease were observed in liver total protein after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment with imidacloprid along or combined with vitamin C. According to the previous results, we conclude that vitamin C may reduce the toxicity of imidacloprid, but this protection may require higher doses or more time for recovery