RESUMO
The toxicity of sub-acute inhalation of mosquito repellent mat vapour exposure 3 hr daily, either for a duration of 15 days (Group II) or for 30 days (Group III) on biochemical parameters in serum and vital organs was evaluated in mice. The control animals were exposed to ambient air 3 hr daily, either for 15 days [Group I (a)] or 30 days [Group I (b)]. In both the Group II and Group III exposure studies, elevation in the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) was observed in the serum and heart tissue and a decrease in their activity in lung and spleen tissue. This biochemical lesion indicates that exposure to mat vapour is capable of interfering with the metabolism of non-essential amino acids and induce cellular damage in the tissues. The elevation in the activity of AST along with that of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) observed in serum and heart tissue in Group II and III studies indicate that exposure to mat vapour is capable of inducing changes in the myocardial function. The elevation in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum and a decrease in its activity in lung and heart tissue of mice exposed to mat vapour for 30 days (Group III) observed in this study denotes that mat vapour could interfere with various metabolic functions to induce derangements at cellular level. Inhalation of hitherto unidentified volatile chemicals emanated from mosquito repellent mat, may contribute as stress factors may contribute as in an indoor environment to produce above mentioned biochemical lesions in vital organs.