Citation

Hsu DZ, Hsu CH, Huang BM, Liu MY. Toxicology 2001; 165(2-3): 189-193.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/s0300-483x(01)00434-6

PMID

11522377

Abstract

Abamectin is widely used as an insecticide and an anthelmintic. A previous report indicated that abamectin was used to commit suicide and led to death in Taiwan. This investigation focused on the toxicological effects of abamectin on serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and nitrate/nitrite (NO) levels in rats. After rats were gavaged with abamectin ranging from 1 to 20 mg/kg/body weight, AST and NO levels were examined within 12 h. AST and NO levels were elevated in abamectin-dosed rats in a dose-dependent manner. The least increase of AST corresponded to the highest enhancement of NO release at 6 h. A negative correlation coefficient (r=-0.55) between AST and NO was found. Both NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester and aminoguanidine, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, increased the AST level induced by abamectin. These findings suggest that NO may be involved in the alteration of AST release induced by abamectin in rats.

Language: en

Keywords

Animals; Anthelmintics; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Inhibitors; Insecticides; Ivermectin; Male; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitrites; Rats; Rats, Wistar