Subacute toxicity of orally applied alpha-cypermethrin in Swiss mice

The effect of a synthetic pyrethroid - alpha-cypermethrin administered per os for 28 days to Swiss mice was examined on phagocytic and bactericidal ac tivity of neutrophils and leukocytic image, IL-12 p70 level in blood plasma , as well as histologic and ultrastructural picture of the liver, heart, ki dneys, lung and spleen. A synthetic pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin, [(R,S)-a lpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (R,S)-cis.trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimthy lcyclopropanecarboxylate] produced by the Chemical Plant in Jaworzno was us ed in the study. The preparation for the application per os was used in dos es 1/2 LD50 (25 mg/kg body mass) and 1/5 LD50 (10 mg/kg body mass). The res ults were presented as mean +/- standard error (SEM) and subjected to stati stical analysis by the parametric t-Student test. Subacute poisoning of mic e with alpha-cypermethrin in doses 1/2 LD50 and 1/5 LD50 resulted in decrea sed bactericidal activity of neutrophils. The dose 10 mg/kg body mass had a stronger stimulatory effect on phagocytic activity than 25 mg/kg body mass . Significantly higher numbers of monocytes and lymphocytes were observed i n the blood of male mice poisoned with 1/5 LD50 alpha-cypermethrin. The adm inistration of alpha-cypermethrin resulted for both doses in the decrease i n IL-12 p70 serum secretion. The lowest IL-12 p70 level (pg/ml) was noted a mong female mice administered 1/2 LD50 of the preparation. The results of t he study may indicate that the pyrethroid in the study had a suppressive ef fect on Il-12 p70 production. In mice administered 1/5 LD50 or 1/2 LD50 of the preparation examined, histopathologic and ultrastructural changes were observed in the liver and kidneys.