Oxidative stress induced by lambda Cyhalothrin in selected tissues of albino mice

Pesticides are widely used in most sectors of the agricultural production to prevent or reduce losses by pests and thus can improve yield as well as quality of the produce, even in terms of cosmetic appeal, which is often important to consumers. Oxidative stress by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the toxicity of various pesticides. The present study was designed to investigate the induction of oxidative stress by Lambda cyhalothrin; a Type II pyrethroid in mice Intestine and Testis. Animals were divided into four equal groups; the first group used as control while groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with sub lethal dose of Lambda cyhalothrin (4.8 mg/kg bw). Mice were daily administered with their respective doses for 30 days by gavage. Repeated oral administration of Lambda cyhalothrin was found to reduce the activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and level of reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase GR. Intestine and Testis injury was confirmed by the histological changes. In conclusion, the oral sub-acute toxicity studies of Lambda revealed that this pyrethroid is of risk in albino mice.