Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid. Chronic exposure of humans to the pesticide occurs. Reports about immunotoxicity and proinflammatory effect of pyrethroids were published. The aim of the article was to check if subacute poisoning with bifenthrin affects proinflammatory interleukin 1ß and tumor necrosis factorα (TNFα) in kidneys, livers and the function of these organs. METHODS: Thirty two female mice were used. They were divided into 4 groups: controls, mice receiving 1.61 mg/kg bifenthrin for 28 days (group 1), 4.025 mg/kg (2), 8.05 mg/kg (3). On day 29 they were sacrificed, blood, livers and kidneys were obtained. Creatinine concentration and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity were estimated in the blood sera. Interleukin1ß and TNFα concentrations in the organs were measured. RESULT: Mean interleukin 1ß concentration in the livers of controls was 53 pg/ml, in group 1- 54 pg/ml, 2- 59 pg/ml, 3- 99 pg/ml (p < 0.05 vs controls). It was accompanied by significant increase in ALT activity in group 3 vs controls (p < 0.05). In the control kidneys interleukin 1ß was 3.9 pg/ml, group 1-6.8 pg/ml, 2-9.8 pg/ml and 3- 11 pg/ml. Statistically significant difference between group 1, 2 and 3 vs controls was found. There was no significant differences among the groups in TNFα concentrations neither in the livers nor kidneys. CONCLUSION: Subacute poisoning with bifenthrin significantly increases interleukin 1ß concentration in livers and kidneys in a dose-proportionate level. It is accompanied by ALT activity increase. It confirms nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic and pro-inflammatory effect of bifenthrin in non-target organisms.