The Th1/Th2 paradigm in lambda cyhalothrin-induced spleen toxicity: The role of thymoquinone

Abstract

This study investigates the retrofitted role of thymoquinone (TQ) in the Th1/Th2 paradigm imbalance in lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) treated rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats were formed: Group I served as control. Group II received 5 mg TQ/(kg bw) daily. Group III received 0.6 mg LCT/(kg bw). Group IV was treated with TQ and LCT. All treatments were given orally for 10 weeks. The LCT-treated group elicited a significant increase in MDA and NO levels with up-regulation of NF-κB/p65 and pro-inflammatory genes expression and their levels. Meanwhile, GSH and immunoglobulins concentrations were markedly decreased concomitant with lessening the activities of antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes mRNA levels. The co-administration of TQ and LCT improved the altered antioxidant enzymes activities and concentration of cytokines with attenuation of NF-κB/p65 mRNA. These data support the antioxidant role of TQ in the Th1/Th2 imbalance paradigm during LCT toxicity.

Keywords: Cytokines; Lambda cyhalothrin; RT-PCR; Thymoquinone.