Topical permethrin exposure inhibits antibody production and macrophage function in C57Bl/6N mice.
Permethrin was applied to the shaved dorsal interscapular region of C57Bl/6N mice at doses of 0.5, 1.5 or 5.0 microl/day. These doses corresponded to approximately 22-220 mg/kg/day topical insecticide. Mice were exposed to permethrin in this manner daily for 10 or 30 consecutive days, or every other day for 7 or 14 exposures. The splenic macrophage chemiluminescent response was depressed in a dose-dependent manner at 2 and 10 days post-exposure to permethrin. Phagocytic ability of macrophages was not inhibited. Antibody production as shown by plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay decreased significantly after 10 consecutive days of exposure to permethrin. These data indicate that topical permethrin exposure may produce systemic immune effects.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442, USA.
K
K
Punareewattana
B J
BJ
Smith
B L
BL
Blaylock
J
J
Longstreth
H L
HL
Snodgrass
R M
RM
Gogal
R M
RM
Prater
S D
SD
Holladay
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D026023:Permethrin; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin