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VOL. 11, ISSUE 6 (2025)
Oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in the lungs and brains of Wistar rats following single and combined exposure to Dichlorvos, Dimethoate and Cypermethrin
Authors
Adeyemi Oyeyemi, Sunday Ogheneruemu Samson
Abstract
This study evaluated oxidative stress responses in the lungs and brains
of Wistar albino rats exposed to dichlorvos, dimethoate, cypermethrin, and
their combinations. Antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA)
levels were quantified, while histopathological alterations were assessed to
establish mechanistic insights. Results showed a significant stepwise induction
of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both lungs and brain across exposure groups (p
< 0.05). The highest activities were observed in the triple-insecticide
group (H), with lung SOD reaching 0.0056 U/mg protein and brain SOD peaking at
a similar magnitude, significantly surpassing controls. Catalase activity
followed a comparable trend. In the lungs, Groups A and B showed the lowest
values, whereas Group H displayed the maximum induction (0.1819 U/mg protein),
representing a robust adaptive response. The brain exhibited sharper
distinctions, with Groups F and H showing significant elevations, indicating
heightened neuronal susceptibility. Lipid peroxidation, measured as MDA,
increased markedly across treatments. Lung MDA rose from 0.00071 nmol/mg
protein in controls to 0.00171 nmol/mg protein in Group H, while brain MDA
peaked at 0.0013 nmol/mg protein, demonstrating cumulative oxidative injury.
Histopathology confirmed these biochemical findings: lungs showed alveolar collapse,
bronchiolar necrosis, and vascular degeneration, while brains displayed
neuronal pyknosis, axonal degeneration, and clumping. In conclusion, both lungs
and brains exhibited significant oxidative stress under pesticide exposure,
with the triple-insecticide combination eliciting the most severe biochemical
and structural damage. These findings underscore the synergistic toxicity of
pesticide mixtures and highlight SOD, catalase, and MDA as reliable biomarkers
of pulmonary and neural oxidative stress.
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Pages:57-67
How to cite this article:
Adeyemi Oyeyemi, Sunday Ogheneruemu Samson "Oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in the lungs and brains of Wistar rats following single and combined exposure to Dichlorvos, Dimethoate and Cypermethrin". International Journal of Medical and Health Research, Vol 11, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 57-67
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