Immunotoxicity of Acephate in the Male SD Rats after One Month Exposure

摘要

Acephate was administered by gavage (once a day) to male rats at the dose of 315.0, 157. 5 and 78. 8 mg/kg for 30 days. At the day 31, body weights of the rats were measured. Animals were then sacrificed to observe changes in activity of RBC-cho-linesterase, the estrogen receptor level, thymus and spleen weight as well as the count of splenocytes and peripheral blood cells. Furthermore, not only Nature killer cells (NK cells) activity but also humoral and cellular immune responses, such as determination of Half Value of Hemolysin (HC50) , Delayed-TypeHypersensitivity (DTH) to SRBC and IgM-Plaque Forming Colony Assay (PFC) were determined. The results showed that acephate at the dose of 315.0 mg/kg could decrease body weight, suppress NK cells activity and raise the level of serum hemolysin (P < 0.05). At the dose of 157.5 mg/kg, a increase in plaque forming cells as well as suppression of NK cell activity and cellular immune response were detected. Though at all three doses there was no alteration in estrogen receptor level, there was observable inhibition in RBC-cholinesterase activity and thymus index. In conclusion, acephate has suppres-sive effects on the immune system in male rats at doses higher than 157.5 mg/kg, but not on estrogen receptor level.