Evaluation of Inhalation Effect of Insecticides on Haemorheological Profiles of Rabbits

Background: High malaria burden has led to the increase use of insecticides in the tropics and subtropics. This study thus aimed at assessing the effect of insecticides inhalation on haemorrheological parameters using experimental animal model.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen adult male rabbits divided into four groups A, B, C and D. Group A,B and C were exposed to 20ml of pyrethroid insecticides containing 0.05% pralletrin and 0.15% cyfluthrin by inhalation for 10mins,20mins, and 30mins respectively. Group D serve as the control and was not exposed. Baseline study was done on all the animals before grouping for exposure. The pyrethroid insecticides was soaked in cotton wool (2.5g) in a container that was able to prevent the animal from ingesting it, which was placed inside the room A, B and C for 10mins,20mins and 30mins respectively. The rabbits were exposed for three weeks and sample were collected at the end of each week. Exposure was discontinued after day 21 and samples were collected again on day 28 and 35 respectively which is the fourth and fifth week. All the animals were monitored twice daily for clinical signs like jerky movement, skin scratching, licking of legs and other body parts.

Results: Data analysis revealed that there was significant effect of inhalation of insecticides on some haemorrheological parameters of rabbits at 10min, 20mins and 30mins of exposure. There was decreased in Plasma viscosity. But there was no significant effect on whole blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen concentration.

Conclusion: The results from this study have shown that aerosol of these pyrethroid insecticides (pralletrin and cyfluthrin) has effect on haemorrheological parameters. It is thus recommended that one should avoid exposure to the aerosol of these insecticides during domestic, veterinary,agricultural or industrial use.