Investigation of renal toxicity induced by neonicotinoid (thiamethoxam) insecticide in mice

Abstract

The investigation of the toxicity of a neonicotinoid insecticide, thiamethoxam, in mammals has been the subject of several experimental studies. In the present work, we are particularly interested in studying the renal toxic effects of two doses (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg/day) of thiamethoxam, an insecticide widely marketed in Algeria, administered orally in adult male mice. For this purpose, a renal histopathological study and plasma assays of the uremia and the creatinemia are carried out. Examination of the histological sections recorded dose-dependent lesions in the renal parenchyma. Renal impairment is characterized by the destruction of certain glomeruli and the presence of some hemorrhagic and inflammatory foci. These alterations are associated with leukocyte diapedesis presented in the blood vessels. The renal function is maintained in the normal state because the urea and creatinine contents remain unchanged. On the basis of these results, it turns out that thiamethoxam treatment induces a dose-dependent renal toxicity in male mice.