Effect of Aldicarb Exposure on Cellular Immunity and Antioxidant Capacity in Kun-ming Mice

Abstract

Immune function and antioxidant defense play an important role in protecting animals against pathogens and in controlling oxidative stress, respectively. Aldicarb is of great concern for human health due to its toxic nature, its extensive usage and consequent pollution. The hypothesis that aldicarb exposure would suppress immune function and antioxidant capacity in Kunming mice was to be tested in the present study. Twenty-three adult male mice were randomly divided into the control (n = 11) and the aldicarb treated (n = 12) groups. Food and water were provided ad libtum for both groups, while the aldicarb treated mice drank aldicarb solution (0.097 mg/L) for 22 days. Cellular immunity assessed by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) response did not differ between the control and the aldicarb treated groups. Similarly, white blood cells were not influenced by aldicarb treatment. Moreover, aldicarb exposure had not significant effect on body mass, all organ masses detected. However, aldicarb treatment suppressed total antioxidant capacity in liver but not in kidneys. In summary, aldicarb treatment did not affect immune function, but suppressed liver antioxidant capacity in Kunming mice.