Protective effects of selenium against cypermethrin induced hepatorenal damage in Sprague Dawley rats

Introduction: Alpha-Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. Pyrethroids are derived from pyrethrins, which are toxic components found in the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium flowers. They have been employed in agriculture, home and veterinary formulations to control the insect vectors of disease, agricultural insects and topically applied to eradicate veterinary pests. The extensive use of pyrethroids in agriculture results in severe pyrethroid poisonings in developing countries.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the serum biochemical changes induced by oral exposure of cypermethrin and the protective effects of selenium in female Sprague-Dawley rats.
Methodology: The female rats (n=20) were equally divided into four groups. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 received 1 ml corn oil, 55 mg/kg/b.w of cypermethrin, 1 ppm of sodium selenite, both cypermethrin and sodium selenite respectively for 21 days. The serum was utilized for estimation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), urea, creatinine and bilirubin by using Selectra E (Germany). Levels of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) in serum were measured using Easylyte (Na+/K+) analyzer (Japan).
Results: Results obtained showed that activities of ALP and ALT were significantly (P<0.05) elevated in cypermethrin treated rats. Total bilirubin, urea and creatinine were insignificantly elevated due to cypermethrin administration. Also, selenium reduced the harmful effects of cypermethrin in the combined treatment group in some parameters.
Conclusion: Oral exposure of cypermethrin induces injuries in liver and kidney of rats as well as alterations in the levels of serum electrolytes which were modulated by selenium co-administration.