Influence of chlorpyrifos on the profile of subpopulations of immunoactive cells and their phagocytic activity in an experimental in vivo model.

Many environmental factors, including pesticides, cause immunological system disorders by inducing changes in humoral and cellular response. They may stimulate or trigger immunological autoaggression, hypersensitivity and allergy, as well as lead to immunosuppression, thus increasing the incidence of infectious diseases and cancers. Such activity is also attributed to organophosphorus compounds used in agriculture as insecticides, and commonly in households as biocides. The aim of the study was to define possible mechanisms of the immunotoxic activity of the chlorpyrifos (an organophosphorus compound) on experimental animals following their exposure to the compound via the oral route. The present study attempts to define the influence of chlorpyrifos on the profile of subpopulations of immunoactive cells: B, T, CD4+, CD8+, and NK, and on their phagocytic activity in an experimental in vivo model. For this purpose, the Wistar rats, were exposed orally to increasing doses of chlorpyrifos: 0.1 LD(50), 0.15 LD(50), 0.2 LD(50), 0.3 LD(50) and 0.4 LD(50) for 28 days. In the study animals, we failed to demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in the phagocytic activity of the granulocyte.