The effect of subacute poisoning with fenpropathrin on mice kidney function and the level of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α

Fenpropathrin (FEN) is a pyrethroid insecticide. Mammals can be exposed to these compounds with food and water as non-target organisms. Pyrethroids are classified into two types depending on chemical structure and neurotoxic effects. FEN has features of Type I and Type II pyrethroids. There is data that pyrethroids apart from neurotoxic properties, can be also nephrotoxic and immunotoxic. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of FEN on kidney function and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) in mice kidneys. Sixteen female mice were randomly divided into two groups: I—receiving saline and II—receiving FEN at the dose of 11.9 mg/kg ip for 28 consecutive days. On day 29 blood samples were obtained to measure serum creatinine concentration. The animals were killed, and kidneys were obtained in order to measure TNFα and interleukin IL-1β in mice kidneys with use of ELISA assay. The concentration of creatinine was (mean ± SD) in controls 0.2 ± 0.0 mg/dl in the group exposed to FEN 0.225 ± 0.046 mg/dl. TNFα concentration in the kidneys of controls was 6.154 ± 1.597 pg/ml and in the group intoxicated with FEN it was 6.318 ± 1.012 pg/ml. IL-1β concentration in the kidneys of controls was 4.67 ± 1.154 pg/ml while in the group intoxicated with FEN 27.983 ± 26.382 pg/ml (p < 0.05). In conclusion: FEN slightly affects kidney function and increases the concentration of proinflammatory IL-1β in mice kidneys, which supports the hypothesis about nephrotoxic and immunotoxic effect of this insecticide in non target organisms.