BACKGROUND: Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide which is widely used in paddy fields located in northern parts of Iran, though it is prohibited to be used in many countries. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate sublethal effects of diazinon on blood parameters of common bream Abramis brama. METHODS: In sublethal toxicity test, fish were exposed to diazinon concentrations of 0.04, 0.36, 0.73 and 1.46 mg/l for 14 days and their hematological parameters including WBCs, white cell differential count, RBCs, Hct, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC were studied.  RESULTS: The results of sublethal toxicity indicated that by increase of toxicant concentration a significant decrease was appeared in WBCs, RBCs, Hct, Hb and MCH both after 7 and 14 days (p<0.05). After 7 days a significant decrease was observed in lymphocytes count which accounted for about %81 of the control group. The neutrophils count was also face the same reduction so that after 14 days of diazinon exposure, the neutrophils counted decreased to about %85 of control group. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the toxicity of diazinon on various hematological parameters and the diazinon concentration in Iranian waters and considering the fish habitat in the waters which are connected to the Caspian Sea it suggests that the pesticide diazinon affect the fish survival.

Evaluation of amitraz against ticks and mites infestation in cattle and sheep in comparison with diazinon and deltamethrin was performed. Amitraz showed over 95 % inhibition of oviposition and hatching of laid eggs at dilution of 1:500 while diazinon and deltamethrin produced around 90 % inhibition of oviposition at the same dilution. Fed ticks were more susceptible for all tested acaricides than the unfed ticks, where amitraz reached its full effectiveness (100 % kill of fed and unfed) 2 weeks after application while diazinon and deltamethrin produced over 90 % at the same dilution. Spraying application of amitraz 12.5 % resulted in 100 % tick control by day 5 and the effect was maintained for further 28 days whereas diazinon and deltamethrin were fully effective by days 9 and 13, respectively and their efficacy were maintained for 16 and 20 days, respectively. Spraying application of amitraz 12.5 % produced 100 % efficacy as no live mites were found on day 17 and maintained in full effectiveness till day 33 where respraying was needed. In conclusion, amitraz produced rapid detachment of ticks from animals; its residual effect was long and protected animals from re-infestation for 29 days and was able to eradicate psoroptes mite infestation in sheep.

The present study analyzes the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against diazinon (DZN)-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into five groups with six animals in each group: Group 1 (G1) was maintained in typical control circumstances and given saline once daily intragastric (IG) for 4 weeks; G2 was administered 0.1 mL olive oil IG for 4 weeks; G3 was administered IG NAC 150 mg/kg daily as an aqueous solution for 4 weeks; G4 was administered IG diazinon at a dose of 15 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks; and G5 was administered IG NAC daily one hour before diazinon at the same dose in G3 and G4 for 4 weeks. Sub-chronic exposure to DZN impairs the kidney structure and function, as evidenced by the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression of NLRP3, NFκB, IKB, BCL2, BAX mRNA. Our findings showed that NAC reduces the renal dysfunctions induced by DZN by restoring urea and creatinine levels as well as oxidative indicators. Moreover, serum inflammatory markers (IL-1β and TNF-α) concentrations were ameliorated by NAC treatment. However, NAC has shown to play a beneficial role against nephrotoxicity by reversing the cytoarchitecture and downregulation of inflammatory (NLRP3, NFκB, IKB) and apoptotic (BAX) as well as upregulated BCL2 genes and proteins in kidney tissues, bringing them to near-normal levels. Moreover, IHC examination of renal tissue revealed the attenuation of expression of TNF-α. Therefore, NAC could be potentially used to protect the kidneys from pathological changes induced by DZN.

The present study was carried out to evaluate oxidative stress and some immunological parameters of deltamethrin and diazinon in fattening buffalos’ calves. A total of 15 healthy calves, 8-12 months of age were divided into 3 groups (5 in each). Gp (1) control, Gp (2) calves sprayed with 1ml deltamethrin/liter water 3 times one week apart and Gp (3) calves sprayed with 1ml diazinon/liter water 3 times one week apart. On the 1st, 15th, and 30th-day post spraying 3 blood samples were taken from control and tested calves for determination of some immunohistochemical. Deltamethrin or diazinon each alone induced significant elevation in WBCs, neutrophils, eosinophils, MDA, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, CK, total lipid, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine associated with a significant reduction on phagocytic %, phagocytic index, killing %, serum IgG, IgM, IgA, total protein, albumin, α, β, γ globulin, total globulin, A/G ratio, CAT, SOD, GSH and GSH-px beside insignificant decrease in lymphocyte, monocyte and basophils at 1st and 15th days post spraying. All biochemical parameters improved after 30 days post-spraying as compared with the control. It was concluded that deltamethrin and diazinon induce some adverse effects in leukogram biochemical parameters and have immunosuppressive effects in calves.

The most prevalent component of the volatile oil found in Nigella sativa seeds is thymoquinone (TQ). As well as being used as food supplements, the seeds and oil are also utilized in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether TQ could protect rats from acute nephrotoxicity caused by diazinon (DZN). Six equal groups of thirty six adult’s male Wistar rats were created at random. Group 1 (G1) was maintained in typical control circumstances and given saline daily intragastric (IG) for 4 weeks; G2 was administered 0.1 mL olive oil IG for 4 weeks; G3 was administered 0.1 mL DMSO IG for 4 weeks; G4 was administered IG TQ at a dose of 10 mg/kg B.W. daily for 4 weeks; G5 was administered IG DZN at a dose of 15 mg/kg B.W. daily for 4 weeks; G6 was administered IG TQ daily one hour before DZN at the same dose in G4 and G5 for 4 weeks. The findings shown that TQ reduces the renal dysfunctions brought on by DZN by restoring urea and creatinine levels as well as oxidative indicators. Although the expression of Keap-1 was also elevated, overexpression of Nrf2 also enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NFκB in renal tissue. Also, TQ increased antiapoptotic (BCL2) factors and decrease proapoptotic (BAX) factors. As a result, it is hypothesized that TQ may be helpful in the prevention and management of acute nephrotoxicity brought on by DZN.