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

ABSTRACT

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]