Changes in renal clearance and renal tubular function in albino mice under the influence of Dichlorvos

It is known that organophosphate pesticides and their metabolites are generally eliminated through urine and are likely to affect nephrons. Despite the widespread application of Dichlorvos only limited studies appear to have been done on its toxicity to kidney. Intraperitoneal administration of 400 μg/kg Dichlorvos in mice exhibited maximum reduction in total protein concentration of kidney after exposure to 120 h (52-fold decrease, t-test, P < 0.001). Variations in renal clearance and percent reabsorption of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and nonspecific esterase enzymes were significant at P < 0.01 and at P < 0.001 (2-way ANOVA), respectively. Maximum significant increase in renal contents of Na+ and Ca++ was induced by 200 μg/kg dose after 120 and 240 h exposure (P < 0.001), while significantly highest retention of K+ and Cl− ions was caused by 400 μg/kg dose after 24 and 72 h exposure (P < 0.01). Histopathological changes in glomeruli, PCTs, DCTs and CTs along with altered renal tubular function and renal clearance of enzymes and various ions indicate the development of acute renal disturbances under the influence of Dichlorvos.