Behavioral and neurochemical evidence of deltamethrin anxiogenic-like effects in rats

Authors

  • Esther Lopes Ricci Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Patologia, São Paulo, SP
  • Vladimir Ferreira Jr Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Patologia, São Paulo, SP
  • Soraya Ferreira Habr Universidade Paulista, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Medicina Veterinária, São Paulo, SP
  • Daclé Juliani Macrini Universidade Paulista, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Medicina Veterinária, São Paulo, SP
  • Maria Martha Bernardi Universidade Paulista, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Medicina Veterinária, São Paulo, SP
  • Helenice de Souza Spinosa Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Patologia, São Paulo, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2318-3659.v50i1p33-42

Keywords:

Deltamethrin, Pyrethroid, Anxiety, Behavior, Central neurotransmitters

Abstract

Pyrethroid insecticides are extensively used for pest control around the house, flea prevention for pets, and plant sprays for the home and in agriculture. Deltamethrin (DTM) is a Type II pyrethroid insecticide used to control a variety of insects in agriculture and domestic environments. The present study investigated the possible anxiogenic effects of DTM (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) in rats using behavioral and neurochemical methods. We assessed general locomotor activity and behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field test. Striatal and hippocampal neurotransmitter and metabolite levels were also measured. DTM (i) reduced locomotion and rearing frequency, (ii) slightly increased the duration of immobility, (iii) reduced the time engaged in social interaction, (iv) reduced the percentage of entries into and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze, (v) reduced the number of center crossings in the elevated plus maze, (vi) Striatal and hippocampal neurotransmitter and metabolite levels were also measured. DTM (i) reduced locomotion and rearing frequency, (ii) slightly increased the duration of immobility, (iii) reduced the time engaged in social interaction, (iv) reduced the percentage of entries into and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze, (v) reduced the number of center crossings in the elevated plus maze, (vi) increased striatal serotonin neurotransmitter and its metabolite, and (vii) did not alter motor coordination on the rotarod, grooming duration in the open field test, rectal temperature, or hippocampal neurotransmitter levels. These data suggest that DTM at the present doses and under these experimental conditions presented a similar profile to that of anxiogenic drugs, unrelated with the increased serotonin neurotransmission.

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Published

2013-02-22

Issue

Section

UNDEFINIED

How to Cite

Behavioral and neurochemical evidence of deltamethrin anxiogenic-like effects in rats. (2013). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 50(1), 33-42. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2318-3659.v50i1p33-42