Evaluation of immunosuppressive effects and apoptosis due to cypermethrin exposure in avian lymphocytes cell culture system

Cypermethrin is a composite pyrethroid; a broad spectrum, non-cumulative insecticide; and, a fast-acting neurotoxin. Present communication reports immunosuppressive effects and increased oxidative stress due to exposure of thousand times dilution of No Observable Effect Level (NOEL/10³) dose of cypermethrin and also its apoptotic nature in chicken lymphocytes. Cypermethrin exposed lymphocytes displayed significant decrease in B and T cell blastogenesis as compared to control cells. It also down regulated Interleukin I and II levels significantly while nitric oxide estimation showed significant increase in oxidative stress. Further annexin-V binding assay and DNA fragmentation analysis revealed cypermethrin induced apoptosis in avian lymphocytes. Hence cypermethrin was found to induce apoptosis and immunosuppression even at low dose level in chicken lymphocyte cell culture system.