Synergistic neurotoxicity: Stress potentiates lambda-cyhalothrin-induced behavioral impairments in a rat Model

Background: The pervasive nature of stress in modern life disrupts homeostasis and activates the HPA axis, leading to elevated glucocorticoids, which are a known risk factor for various diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), a widely used type II synthetic pyrethroid, is detected in human populations and the food chain, raising concerns about its neurobehavioral effects. Aims and Objectives: This study investigated the role of stress in modulating LCT induced neurobehavioral toxicity. Materials and Methods: Studies associated with simultaneous exposure of rats to lambda-cyhalothrin and rats were subjected to either intermittent psychological stress (Immobilization Stress, IMS) or physical stress (forced swim stress, FSS) under two paradigms for 28 days. Results and Conclusion: Experimental studies to understand the effect of exposure either to a psychological or physical stressor (IMS or FSS) followed by LCT exposure on selected behavioral and neurochemical endpoints. The results exhibit that both psychological and physical stresses are significantly exacerbated in the LCT induced neurochemical alterations associated with behavioral dysfunctions. In the selected paradigm, co-exposure to stress (either IMS or FSS) and LCT produced more severe effects than either stressor or LCT alone.