Biochemical Changes as Biomarkers of Pyrethroid Toxicity in Rats

Biochemical Changes as Biomarkers of Pyrethroid Toxicity in Rats :TONG Jian, et al. De partment of Public Health, Suzhou Medical College -Biochemical changes reflecting toxic effects of two pyrethroid pesticides were pursued under exper imental conditions of single and multiple exposures. Two pesticides, fenvalerate and cypermethrin, were administered to rats, and biochemical indices such as levels of enzymes and proteins in blood and bron choalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. Re sults indicated that with multiple oral administration of cypermethrin to rats, a significant decrease in blood cholinesterase (ChE) activity could be ob served after 1 wk of daily treatment, which suggest ed a secondary and indirect response. On the other hand, lung damage induced by fenvalerate seemed to be an acute effect, since all the biochemical effects measured in the present study appeared within 1 d after the single exposure, and could no longer be detected 1 wk later. These findings in dicated that biochemical changes in biological sam ples could be used as biomarkers, which in turn may provide a supplementary means for the recognition of potential adverse effects of the pesticides as well as for the protection of sensitive individuals in an occupational context. (J Occup Health 1996; 38: 54-56)