Common Household Insecticides Used in Nigeria Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Background: The use of household insecticides for the eradication of insects especially
mosquitoes in Nigeria is increasing. These insecticides are used without consideration of their
adverse effect on human health.
Aim: This study is therefore sought to investigate the effect of common household insecticides
used in Nigeria on oxidative stress biomarkers.
Methodology: Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six (6) each. Rats in
group 1 were exposed to Rambo, those in group 2 were exposed to Mortein, those in group 3 were
exposed to Raid, those in group 4 were exposed to Baygon while those in group 5 were not
exposed to any insecticide and served as the control group. The exposure was done twice daily via
inhalation route. Throughout the experiment, animals were fed ad libitum with standard feed and drinking water. After twenty-one (21) days of exposure, they were sacrificed after an overnight fast

under diethyl ether as anesthesia. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. Oxidative
stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione
peroxidase) were determined using standard methods.
Results: The results obtained showed that exposure of the animals to all types of insecticides
(Rambo, Mortein, Raid and Baygon) significantly (p