Changes of rat brain neurotransmitters following phyrethroids treatment

ABSTRACT

The effects of two synthetic pyrethroids, cypermethrin and permethrin, on the levels of gamma-amino-butyric acid [GABA], glutamate and acetylcholine [ACh] in the rat fore- and hind-brain and on the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the whole rat brain were assessed. Daily subcutaneous administration of cypermethrin [125 mg/kg] or permethrin [425 mg/kg] for four days resulted in a significant increase in the level of ACh in the fore-brain. However, the levels of ACh in the hind-brain and the levels of GABA and glutamate in the fore- and hind-brain were not significantly altered following treatment with either cypermethrin or permethrin. The levels of dopamine and norepinephrine were significantly decreased with cypermethrin intake; however the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin were significantly increased following permethrin treatment. The results were discussed in relation to the toxic excitatory symptoms produced by pyrethroids