Neuromechanical effects of pyrethroids, allethrin, cyhalothrin and deltamethrin on the cholinergic processes in rat brain

Assessing the Risks of Pesticide Exposure: Implications for Endocrine Disruption and Male Fertility

Pesticides serve as essential tools in agriculture and public health, aiding in pest control and disease management. However, their widespread use has prompted concerns regarding their adverse effects on humans and animals. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the toxicity profile of pesticides, focusing on their detrimental impacts on the nervous, hepatic, cardiac, and pulmonary systems, and their impact on reproductive functions. Additionally, it discusses how pesticides mimic hormones, thereby inducing dysfunction in the endocrine system. Pesticides disrupt the endocrine system, leading to neurological impairments, hepatocellular abnormalities, cardiac dysfunction, and respiratory issues. Furthermore, they also exert adverse effects on reproductive organs, disrupting hormone levels and causing reproductive dysfunction. Mechanistically, pesticides interfere with neurotransmitter function, enzyme activity, and hormone regulation. This review highlights the effects of pesticides on male reproduction, particularly sperm capacitation, the process wherein ejaculated sperm undergo physiological changes within the female reproductive tract, acquiring the ability to fertilize an oocyte. Pesticides have been reported to inhibit the morphological changes crucial for sperm capacitation, resulting in poor sperm capacitation and eventual male infertility. Understanding the toxic effects of pesticides is crucial for mitigating their impact on human and animal health, and in guiding future research endeavors.

The diabetogenic effects of pesticides: Evidence based on epidemiological and toxicological studies

While the use of pesticides has improved grain productivity and controlled vector-borne diseases, the widespread use of pesticides has resulted in ubiquitous environmental residues that pose health risks to humans. A number of studies have linked pesticide exposure to diabetes and glucose dyshomeostasis. This article reviews the occurrence of pesticides in the environment and human exposure, the associations between pesticide exposures and diabetes based on epidemiological investigations, as well as the diabetogenic effects of pesticides based on the data from in vivo and in vitro studies. The potential mechanisms by which pesticides disrupt glucose homeostasis include induction of lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, acetylcholine accumulation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. The gaps between laboratory toxicology research and epidemiological studies lead to an urgent research need on the diabetogenic effects of herbicides and current-use insecticides, low-dose pesticide exposure research, the diabetogenic effects of pesticides in children, and assessment of toxicity and risks of combined exposure to multiple pesticides with other chemicals.

Allethrin Promotes Apoptosis and Autophagy Associated with the Oxidative Stress-Related PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Developing Rat Ovaries

The increased concern regarding the reduction in female fertility and the impressive numbers of women undergoing fertility treatment support the existence of environmental factors beyond inappropriate programming of developing ovaries. Among these factors are pyrethroids, which are currently some of the most commonly used pesticides worldwide. The present study was performed to investigate the developmental effects of the pyrethroid-based insecticide allethrin on ovarian function in rat offspring in adulthood. We mainly focused on the roles of oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy and the related pathways in ovarian injury. Thirty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were intragastrically administered 0 (control), 34.2 or 68.5 mg/kg body weight allethrin after breeding from Day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. We found that allethrin-induced ovarian histopathological damage was accompanied by elevations in oxidative stress and apoptosis. Interestingly, the number of autophagosomes in allethrin-treated ovaries was higher, and this increase was correlated with the upregulated expression of genes and proteins related to the autophagic marker LC-3. Furthermore, allethrin downregulated the expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in allethrin-treated ovaries compared with control ovaries. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that exposure to the pyrethroid-based insecticide allethrin adversely affects both the follicle structure and function in rat offspring during adulthood. Specifically, allethrin can induce excessive oxidative stress and defective autophagy-related apoptosis, probably through inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and these effects may contribute to ovarian dysfunction and impaired fertility in female offspring.

Detection of insecticide detoxification enzymes activities in Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector of dengue fever in Saudi Arabia

In this study, the sensitivity of Aedes aegypti mosquitoe larvae to four types of pesticides two phosphorous-based and two pyrethroid insecticides was investigated. The larvae revealed approximately 1.126-fold more susceptibility to Safrotin (LC50 = 0.127 ppm) than Fendure (LC50 = 0.143) in the case of phosphorous-based pesticides and approximately 1.265-fold more susceptibility to AlphaQuest (LC50 = 0.0347 ppm) than Klash (LC50 = 0.0439) in the case of pyrothroid insecticides. Comparison between groups revealed that AlphaQuest was more effective than Klash, Safrotin and Fendure by approximately 1.3, 3.6 and 4.1-fold, respectively. The presence of enzyme activities relevant to insecticide resistance was often evaluated using enzyme assays to detect the underlying resistance mechanisms that may not be detected using bioassays. In this study, the results revealed significant decrease in the activity of esterase, glutathione- S- transferase and acetylcholine esterase enzymes to varying degrees. There were significant increases in catalase and total glutathione activity in all treatments compared to the control. The study concluded that this variation in enzyme activities is due to the type and purity of the additive compound and the source and purity of the active ingredient. The study recommends using the catalase enzyme and total glutathione as a biomarker indication for pesticide synergistic intoxication in aquatic animals.

Binding interaction of allethrin with esterase: Bioremediation potential and mechanism

The main aim of this work was to study the allethrin binding interactions with esterase and its bioremediation potential using an isolated bacterial strain CW7, identified as Pseudomonas nitroreducens. The degradation conditions with strain CW7 were optimized using response surface methodology at pH 7.0, a temperature of 32 °C, and an inocula concentration of 150 mg·L^-1, with 96% allethrin degradation observed over 7 days. The kinetic parameters q_max, K_s, and K_i were calculated to be 0.512 day^-1, 4.97 mg·L^-1, and 317.13 mg·L^-1, respectively. Nine intermediate metabolites were identified after analysing the degradation products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Strain CW7 effectively degraded a wide variety of pyrethroids as a carbon source. Molecular modeling, docking, and enzyme kinetics were used to investigate the binding pocket of the esterase containing amino acids such as alanine, arginine, valine, proline, cysteine, glycine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, serine, asparagine, and threonine, which play active roles in allethrin degradation.

Mechanism of allethrin biodegradation by a newly isolated Sphingomonas trueperi strain CW3 from wastewater sludge

The main aim of this study was to investigate and characterize the bacterial strain that has the potential to degrade allethrin. The isolated strain, Sphingomonas trueperi CW3, degraded allethrin (50 mg L-1) in batch experiments within seven days. The Box-Behnken design optimized allethrin degradation and had a confirmation of 93% degradation at pH 7.0, at a temperature of 30 °C and an inocula concentration of 100 mg L-1. The results from gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the existence of nine metabolites from the degradation of allethrin with strain CW3. The cleavage of the ester bond, followed by the degradation of the five-carbon rings, was allethrin's primary degradation pathway. The strain CW3 also degraded other widely applied synthetic pyrethroids such as cyphenothrin, bifenthrin, permethrin, tetramethrin, β-cypermethrin and chlorempenthrin. Furthermore, in experiments performed with sterilized soil, strain CW3 based bioaugmentation effectively removed allethrin at a significantly reduced half-life.

Biodegradation of Allethrin by a Novel Fungus Fusarium proliferatum Strain CF2, Isolated from Contaminated Soils

Continuous use of allethrin has resulted in heavy environmental contamination and has raised public concern about its impact on human health, yet little is known about the kinetics and microbial degradation of this pesticide. This study reported the degradation kinetics in a novel fungal strain, Fusarium proliferatum CF2, isolated from contaminated agricultural fields. Strain CF2 utilized 50 mg·L-1 of allethrin as the sole carbon source for growth in minimal salt medium and tolerated high concentrations of allethrin of up to 1000 mg·L-1. The optimum degradation conditions for strain CF2 were determined to be a temperature of 26 °C and pH 6.0 using response surface methodology. Under optimum conditions, strain CF2 completely degraded allethrin within 144 hours. The degradation kinetics of allethrin followed first order reaction kinetics. Kinetics analysis showed that its half-life was substantially reduced by 507.1 hours, as compared to the uninoculated control. This study provides new insights into the microbial degradation of allethrin with fungal F. proliferatum CF2.

Nano-curcumin versus curcumin in amelioration of deltamethrin-induced hippocampal damage

We aimed to prove that oxidative stress is the main mechanism responsible for hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by deltamethrin (DLM). The protective role of curcumin (CMN) and nano-curcumin (NCMN) over this toxicity was studied. The rats were categorized into four groups: control, DLM, CMN and NCMN. The study continued for 30 days. Hippocampus was processed for histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Caspase-3, glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured for DLM-induced oxidative stress (increased MDA by 354%/decreased GSH by 61%, SOD by 61%, CAT 57%). Oxidative stress induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through increasing Nrf2, gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase heavy subunit (GCS-HS) and light subunit (GCS-LS) and decreasing AChE. It increases the activity of astrocytes through increasing GFAP. Finally, oxidative stress has a bad impaction on cognitive function. Improvement of oxidative stress was observed with use of CMN and NCMN (decrease of MDA/increase of GSH, SOD, CAT). The level of Nrf2, GCS-HS and GCS-LS decreased, while AChE, GFAP increased. Improvement of cognitive function was observed in both groups. In conclusion, oxidative stress is the common mechanism responsible for DLM-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity. It exerts apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through increasing Nrf2, HS-GCS, LS-GCS and decreasing AChE. In addition, it activates astrocytes through increasing expression of GFAP. The protective role of CMN and CMMN is related to their potent antioxidant effect. Much improvement has been detected with NCMN as compared to CMN.

Lambda-cyhalothrin exposure alters purine nucleotide hydrolysis and nucleotidase gene expression pattern in platelets and liver of rats

Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a broad-spectrum pesticide widely used in agriculture throughout the world. This pesticide is considered a potential contaminant of surface and underground water as well as food, posing a risk to ecosystems and humans. In this sense, we decided to evaluate the activity of enzymes belonging to the purinergic system, which is linked with regulation of extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine (Ado) molecules involved in the regulation of inflammatory response. However, there are no data concerning the effects of LCT exposure on the purinergic system, where extracellular nucleotides act as signaling molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate nucleotide hydrolysis by E-NTPDase (ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase), Ecto-NPP (ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase), ecto-5'-nucleotidase and ecto-adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) in platelets and liver of adult rats on days 7, 30, 45 and 60 after daily gavage with 6.2 and 31.1 mg/kg bw of LCT. Gene expression patterns of NTPDases1-3 and 5'-nucleotidase were also determined in those tissues. In parallel, lambda-cyhalothrin metabolites [3-(2-chloro-3,3,3- trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid (CFMP), 4-hydroxyphenoxybenzoic acid (4-OH-3-PBA), and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA)] were measured in plasma. Results showed that exposure rats to LCT caused a significant increase in the assessed enzymes activities. Gene expression pattern of ectonucleotidases further revealed a significant increase in E-NTPDase1, E-NTPDase2, and E-NTPDase3 mRNA levels after LCT administration at all times. A dose-dependent increase in LCT metabolite levels was also observed but there no significant variations in levels from weeks to week, suggesting steady-steady equilibrium. Correlation analyses revealed that LCT metabolites in the liver and plasma were positively correlated with the adenine nucleotides hydrolyzing enzyme, E-ADA and E-NPP activities in platelets and liver of rats exposed to lambda-cyhalothin. Our results show that LCT and its metabolites may affect purinergic enzymatic cascade and cause alterations in energy metabolism.

Effects of pyrethroid pesticide cis-bifenthrin on lipogenesis in hepatic cell line

Mounting evidence suggests there is a link between exposure to synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) and the development of obesity. The information presented in this study suggests that cis-bifenthrin (cis-BF) could activate pregnane X receptor (PXR) mediated pathway and lead to the lipid accumulation of human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Cells were incubated in the control or different concentrations of cis-BF for 24 h. The 1 × 10^-7 M and 1 × 10^-6 M cis-BF exposure were found to induce cellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation significantly. This phenomenon was further supported by Oil Red O Staining assay. The cis-BF exposure caused upregulation of PXR gene and protein. Correspondingly, we also observed the increased expression of downstream genes involved in lipid formation and the inhibition of the expression of β-oxidation. As chiral pesticide，cis-BF was further conformed to behave enantioselectivity in the lipid metabolism. Rather than 1R-cis-BF, HepG2 cells incubated with 1S-cis-BF exhibited a significant TG accumulation. 1S-cis-BF also showed a higher binding level, of which the KD value was 9.184 × 10^-8 M in the SPR assay, compared with 1R-cis-BF (3.463 × 10^-6 M). In addition, the molecular docking simulation analyses correlated well with the KD values measured by the SPR, indicating that 1S-cis-BF showed a better binding affinity with PXR. The results in this study also elucidates the differences between the two enantiomers of pyrethroid-induced toxicity in lipid metabolism of non-target organism.

Antigonadal and endocrine-disrupting activities of lambda cyhalothrin in female rats and its attenuation by taurine

Lambda cyhalothrin (LCT) is a type II pyrethroid with a wide range of agricultural, industrial, and household uses. Taurine is a nonprotein sulfur containing amino acid as well as a well-known antioxidant and has valuable clinical applications in the detoxification of xenobiotics. The present study evaluated the effect of LCT on the reproductive and endocrine systems of female rats and determined whether taurine might alter these effects. Sexually mature female rats were administered LCT at two different dosages (6.3 mg/kg BW and 11.33 mg/kg BW) once daily by oral gavage for 14 consecutive days with the pretreatment of taurine (50 mg kg^-1 BW). LCT treatment resulted in diminished adrenal cholesterol, ovarian 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activity with increased ovarian cholesterol, adrenal 3β- and 17β-HSD activity. Furthermore, protein and mRNA expressions of ovarian 17β-HSD and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein were also decreased. Hormonal imbalance was evident by concurrent reduction in the gonadotropic hormone, estradiol, and progesterone levels in LCT-treated rats. These rats also demonstrated the histopathological evidence of degenerative changes in the ovaries. Pretreatment of taurine attenuated the LCT-induced changes.

Bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity in rats: involvement of oxidative stress

Extensive use of synthetic pyrethroids has resulted in serious human health issues. Induction of oxidative stress is an important mechanism of action of most pesticides including pyrethroids. In the present study, we have elucidated the possible role of oxidative stress in bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were administered bifenthrin (3.5 and 7 mg per kg body weight p.o.) for 30 days. Behavioral studies were conducted on a set of randomly selected rats from each treatment group after completion of treatment. Neurochemical parameters were assessed 24 h after the last dose was administered. The selected behavioral and neurochemical endpoints were also assessed 15 days after cessation of exposure to reveal whether the neurobehavioral changes produced by bifenthrin were temporary or permanent. Deficits in motor activity, motor incoordination, and cognitive impairment were observed after exposure to bifenthrin. Levels of biogenic amines viz. dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, i.e. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), epinephrine (EPN), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) altered in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of bifenthrin-treated rats. A decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) occurred in all regions of the brain. Both doses of bifenthrin significantly induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increased protein carbonyl levels in the frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were also suppressed in all selected regions of the brain. A trend of recovery was, however, observed in all the behavioral and neurochemical endpoints 15 days after withdrawal of exposure. Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in bifenthrin-induced neurotoxicity. Our study suggests that long-term exposure to these compounds can produce detrimental effects.

Allethrin toxicity causes reproductive dysfunction in male rats

Pyrethroids are widely used for domestic and agricultural purposes and their use is increasing, especially in developing countries. Uncontrolled use of these insecticides resulted in their entry into the food chain thereby causing toxicity to different organ systems. Allethrin is one of the widely used pyrethroids, but its toxicological effects are underreported when compared to other pyrethroids. Further, its effects on the male reproductive tract remain uncharacterized. In this study, its toxicity on the male reproductive tract was evaluated by administering 25-150 mg/kg body weight allethrin to adult rats for 60 days. The mRNA expression of factors that are important in spermatogenesis (Scf, c-Kit, Hsf2, Ovol1, Brdt, Kdm3A, Ybx-2, and Grth) and steroidogenesis (StAR, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD) was significantly downregulated. Decreased levels of testosterone, reduced sperm count and daily sperm production was also observed due to allethrin toxicity. However, sperm quality parameters assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer were not affected. Spermatozoa obtained from allethrin-treated rats failed to undergo acrosome reaction. Results of this study indicate that allethrin affects spermatogenesis and sperm function, thus lending further support to the growing evidence of its toxicity.

Assessment of the inhibitory effects of pyrethroids against human carboxylesterases

Pyrethroids are broad-spectrum insecticides that widely used in many countries, while humans may be exposed to these toxins by drinking or eating pesticide-contaminated foods. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of six commonly used pyrethroids against two major human carboxylesterases (CES) including CES1 and CES2. Three optical probe substrates for CES1 (DME, BMBT and DMCB) and a fluorescent probe substrate for CES2 (DDAB) were used to characterize the inhibitory effects of these pyrethroids. The results demonstrated that most of the tested pyrethroids showed moderate to weak inhibitory effects against both CES1 and CES2, but deltamethrin displayed strong inhibition towards CES1. The IC₅₀ values of deltamethrin against CES1-mediated BMBT, DME, and DMCB hydrolysis were determined as 1.58μM, 2.39μM, and 3.3μM, respectively. Moreover, deltamethrin was cell membrane permeable and capable of inhibition endogenous CES1 in living cells. Further investigation revealed that deltamethrin inhibited CES1-mediated BMBT hydrolysis via competitive manner but noncompetitively inhibited DME or DMCB hydrolysis. The inhibition behaviors of deltamethrin against CES1 were also studied by molecular docking simulation. The results demonstrated that CES1 had at least two different ligand-binding sites, one was the DME site and another was the BMBT site which was identical to the binding site of deltamethrin. In summary, deltamethrin was a strong reversible inhibitor against CES1 and it could tightly bind on CES1 at the same ligand-binding site as BMBT. These findings are helpful for the deep understanding of the interactions between xenobiotics and CES1.

Neurodevelopmental Delay Diagnosis Rates Are Increased in a Region with Aerial Pesticide Application

A number of studies have implicated pesticides in childhood developmental delay (DD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The influence of the route of pesticide exposure on neurodevelopmental delay is not well defined. To study this factor, we examined ASD/DD diagnoses rates in an area near our regional medical center that employs yearly aerial pyrethroid pesticide applications to combat mosquito-borne encephalitis. The aim of this study was to determine if areas with aerial pesticide exposure had higher rates of ASD/DD diagnoses. This regional study identified higher rates of ASD/DD diagnoses in an area with aerial pesticides application. Zip codes with aerial pyrethroid exposure were 37% more likely to have higher rates of ASD/DD (adjusted RR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.06-1.78, p = 0.02). A Poisson regression model controlling for regional characteristics (poverty, pesticide use, population density, and distance to medical center), subject characteristics (race and sex), and local birth characteristics (prematurity, low birthweight, and birth rates) identified a significant relationship between aerial pesticide use and ASD/DD rates. The relationship between pesticide application and human neurodevelopment deserves additional study to develop safe and effective methods of mosquito prevention, particularly as communities develop plans for Zika virus control.

Neurodevelopmental consequences of gestational and lactational exposure to pyrethroids in rats

Indiscriminate use of pyrethroids has raised serious health related concerns, especially about their effects on children. The present study was designed to assess the developmental neurotoxicity of two pyrethroids; bifenthrin (BIF) and β-cyfluthrin (CYF) administered at 1/15 of LD₅₀ in rats. Pregnant females were exposed to the test compounds orally throughout gestation and lactation periods. Neonates were weighed and sexed at birth and were observed for any gross abnormality. Growth, viability and weaning indices were calculated during the lactation period. Exposure to both the compounds did not alter the physical developmental parameters viz. eye opening, pinna detachment, and fur appearance. CYF significantly impaired growth and survivability of pups. Behavioral endpoints assessed in neonates (surface righting, pivoting, and negative geotaxis reflex) as well as adults (motor activity and motor coordination) exhibited marked effect of CYF treatment. Administration of BIF to pregnant dams impaired pivoting in neonates. Decreased locomotion in the open-field and impaired rota-rod performance were also witnessed in BIF-exposed animals. Enhanced oxidative stress was seen in corpus striatum, cerebellum, and hippocampus regions of the brain; reduced catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured in BIF and CYF treated weanlings. Acetylcholinesterase activity was also found to be lowered following administration of both compounds at PND 21. The present results suggest that exposure to pyrethroids during critical periods of growth can induce long term effects on the behavior of animals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1761-1770, 2016.

Attenuation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase activity contributes to GABA increase in the cerebral cortex of mice exposed to β-cypermethrin

The current study investigated the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and GABA metabolic enzymes (GABA transaminase (GABAT) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)) activities at 2 and 4 h after treatment, using a high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detectors and colorimetric assay, in the cerebral cortex of mice treated with 20, 40 or 80 mg/kg β-cypermethrin by a single oral gavage, with corn oil as vehicle control. In addition, GABA protein (4 h after treatment), GABAT protein (2 h after treatment) and GABA receptors messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. β-Cypermethrin (80 mg/kg) significantly increased GABA levels in the cerebral cortex of mice, at both 2 and 4 h after treatment, compared with the control. Also, GABA immunohistochemistry results suggested that the number of positive granules was increased in the cerebral cortex of mice 4 h after exposure to 80 mg/kg β-cypermethrin when compared with the control. Furthermore, the results also showed that GABAT activity detected was significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex of mice 2 h after β-cypermethrin administration (40 or 80 mg/kg). No significant changes were found in GAD activity, or the expression of GABAT protein and GABAB receptors mRNA, in the cerebral cortex of mice, except that 80 mg/kg β-cypermethrin caused a significant decrease, compared with the vehicle control, in GABAA receptors mRNA expression 4 h after administration. These results suggested that attenuated GABAT activity induced by β-cypermethrin contributed to increased GABA levels in the mouse brain. The downregulated GABAA receptors mRNA expression is most likely a downstream event.

Acute effects of deltamethrin on swimming velocity and biomarkers of the common prawn Palaemon serratus

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of deltamethrin on biomarkers and behavior of Palaemon serratus (common prawn), since this attempt to link different levels of biological organization will allow determining which biomarkers might be ecologically relevant and will be useful to complement the information about the effects of pesticides by using behavioral parameters. Therefore, parameters of liver antioxidant status, energy metabolism and neurotransmission were determined in different tissues of the common prawn and used to assess the effects at sub-individual level, whereas swimming velocity was used to assess the effects at the individual level. It was also investigated if the swimming velocity can be used as an endpoint in ecotoxicology bioassays and if it can be as sensitive as biomarker endpoints. Swimming velocity was significantly reduced in prawns exposed to deltamethrin, showing a lowest observed effect (LOEC) of 0.6 ng L(-1). Eye acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was significantly increased in prawns exposed to 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 ng L(-1) deltamethrin, whereas muscle cholinesterase (ChE) activity was significantly increased in prawns exposed to 19 and 39 ng L(-1). On the other hand, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly increased in muscle of prawns exposed to 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.9 ng L(-1) deltamethrin, showing that organisms were requiring additional energy, but probably using it for detoxification processes rather than locomotion, since swimming velocity was inhibited. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was significantly increased in the digestive gland of common prawn exposed to 19 and 39 ng L(-1) deltamethrin. Catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased in digestive gland of prawn exposed to 19 ng L(-1) deltamethrin. However, CAT activity decreased in digestive gland of prawn exposed to 39 ng L(-1), suggesting an antioxidant defense system failure concomitant with high levels of lipid peroxidation. Thus, global results showed that decreased swimming velocity was not associated with cholinesterase inhibition. In fact, the impairment of swimming velocity may be due to allocation of energy for detoxification and antioxidant protection instead of swimming activity. The present study showed that swimming velocity could be used as an ecologically relevant tool and a sensitive endpoint to assess and complement the study of pesticide effects on marine organisms.

Involvement of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in the neurobehavioral toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin in developing rats

In view of extensive uses of lambda-cyhalothrin, a new generation type II synthetic pyrethroid, human exposure is quite imminent. The present study has therefore been carried out to investigate effect of lambda-cyhalothrin on brain dopaminergic and serotonergic systems and functional alterations associated with them. Post-lactational exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin (1.0 mg/kg or 3.0 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) from PD22 to PD49 caused a significant decrease in the motor activity and rota-rod performance in rats on PD50 as compared to controls. Decrease in motor activity in lambda-cyhalothrin treated rats was found to persist 15 days after withdrawal of exposure on PD65 while a trend of recovery in rota-rod performance was observed. A decrease in the binding of ³H-Spiperone, known to label dopamine-D2 receptors in corpus striatum associated with decreased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactivity and TH protein was observed in lambda-cyhalothrin treated rats on PD50 and PD65 compared to controls. Increase in the binding of ³H-Ketanserin, known to label serotonin-2A receptors in frontal cortex was observed in lambda-cyhalothrin exposed rats on PD50 and PD65 as compared to respective controls. The changes were more marked in rats exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin at a higher dose (3.0 mg/kg) and persisted even 15 days after withdrawal of exposure. The results exhibit vulnerability of developing rats to lambda-cyhalothrin and suggest that striatal dopaminergic system is a target of lambda-cyhalothrin. Involvement of serotonin-2A receptors in the neurotoxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin is also suggested. The results further indicate that neurobehavioral changes may be more intense in case exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin continues.

Cholinergic dysfunctions and enhanced oxidative stress in the neurobehavioral toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin in developing rats

This study is focused on understanding the mechanism of neurobehavioral toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin, a new generation type II synthetic pyrethroid in developing rats following their exposure from post-lactational day (PLD)22 to PLD49 and investigate whether neurobehavioral alterations are transient or persistent. Post-lactational exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin (1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) affected grip strength and learning activity in rats on PLD50 and the persistent impairment of grip strength and learning was observed at 15 days after withdrawal of exposure on PLD65. A decrease in the binding of muscarinic-cholinergic receptors in frontocortical, hippocampal, and cerebellar membranes associated with decreased expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in hippocampus was observed following exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin on PLD50 and PLD65. Exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin was also found to increase the expression of growth-associated protein-43 in hippocampus of rats on PLD50 and PLD65 as compared to controls. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels and decreased levels of reduced glutathione and activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in brain regions of lambda-cyhalothrin exposed rats were distinctly observed indicating increased oxidative stress. Inhibition of ChAT and AChE activity may cause down-regulation of muscarinic-cholinergic receptors consequently impairing learning activity in developing rats exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin. The data further indicate that long-term exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin at low doses may be detrimental and changes in selected behavioral and neurochemical end points may persist if exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin continues.

Advances in the mode of action of pyrethroids

The ability to clone, express, and electrophysiologically measure currents carried by voltage-gated ion channels has allowed a detailed assessment of the action of pyrethroids on various target proteins.Recently, the heterologous expression of various rat brain voltage-gated sodium channel isoforms in Xenopus laevis oocytes has determined a wide range of sensitivities to the pyrethroids, with some channels virtually insensitive and others highly sensitive. Furthermore, some isoforms show selective sensitivity to certain pyrethroids and this selectivity can be altered in a state-dependent manner. Additionally, some rat brain isoforms are apparently more sensitive to pyrethroids than the corresponding human isoform. These finding may have significant relevance in judging the merit and value of assessing the risk of pyrethroid exposures to humans using toxicological studies done in rat.Other target sites for certain pyrethroids include the voltage-gated calcium and chloride channels. Of particular interest is the increased effect of Type II pyrethroids on certain phosphoforms of the N-type Ca(v)2.2 calcium channel following post-translational modification and its relationship to enhanced neurotransmitter release seen in vivo.Lastly, parallel neurobehavioral and mechanistic studies on three target sites suggest that a fundamental difference exists between the action of Types I and II pyrethroids, both on a functional and molecular level. These differences should be considered in any future risk evaluation of the pyrethroids.

Mechanisms of pyrethroid insecticide-induced stimulation of calcium influx in neocortical neurons

Pyrethroid insecticides bind to voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and modify their gating kinetics, thereby disrupting neuronal function. Pyrethroids have also been reported to alter the function of other channel types, including activation of voltage-gated calcium channels. Therefore, the present study compared the ability of 11 structurally diverse pyrethroids to evoke Ca(2+) influx in primary cultures of mouse neocortical neurons. Nine pyrethroids (tefluthrin, deltamethrin, λ-cyhalothrin, β-cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, S-bioallethrin, fenpropathrin, cypermethrin, and bifenthrin) produced concentration-dependent elevations in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in neocortical neurons. Permethrin and resmethrin were without effect on [Ca(2+)](i). These pyrethroids displayed a range of efficacies on Ca(2+) influx; however, the EC(50) values for active pyrethroids all were within one order of magnitude. Tetrodotoxin blocked increases in [Ca(2+)](i) caused by all nine active pyrethroids, indicating that the effects depended on VGSC activation. The pathways for deltamethrin- and tefluthrin-induced Ca(2+) influx include N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors, L-type Ca(2+) channels, and reverse mode of operation of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger inasmuch as antagonists of these sites blocked deltamethrin-induced Ca(2+) influx. These data demonstrate that pyrethroids stimulate Ca(2+) entry into neurons subsequent to their actions on VGSCs.

Neurotoxicity Evaluation of the Organofluorine Pesticide Etoxazole in the Brain ofOreochromis niloticus

Etoxazole is a new organofluorine pesticide that has been used worldwide as acaricide and insecticide since 1998. Almost no previous attempt has been made to evaluate the toxic effects of etoxazole in vertebrates. Using fish (Oreochromis niloticus) as a suitable model organism, the aim of this study was to indicate whether etoxazole affects acetylcholinesterase and sodium potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase activities in the brain tissue in order to evaluate the impacts on neurotoxicity and ion transportation. Enzyme activities were determined using spectrophotometric methods. At the sublethal concentrations (0.27, 0.54, 0.81, 1.08, 1.35 mg/L) and exposure durations (1, 7, 15 days) tested, etoxazole has no inhibitory effect on the brain acetylcholinesterase and sodium potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase activities. Our results suggest that etoxazole and/or its metabolites may not reach or penetrate the blood-brain barrier; therefore, they do not essentially alter the functions of these two important enzymes for the brain.

Honeybee Apis mellifera acetylcholinesterase--a biomarker to detect deltamethrin exposure

The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility to use acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as a biomarker of exposure to deltamethrin insecticide in the honeybee, Apis mellifera and to test its reliability in the presence of other contaminants, as carbamate insecticide. Joined actions of deltamethrin (pyrethroid) and pirimicarb (carbamate), alone or in association, are investigated on AChE activity in surviving and dead honeybees, with a special focus on the relative proportions of its membrane and soluble forms. At the 0.5X dose (12.5 ng of deltamethrin and/or 2.5 microg of pirimicarb per bee), the residual tissue AChE activity in dead bees was 78% with deltamethrin, 43% with pirimicarb and 33% with dual treatment. In surviving bees, tissue AChE activity represented 250%, and 270% of control AChE activity with deltamethrin and dual treatment, respectively. The analysis of membrane and soluble AChE forms revealed an increase in the soluble form in dead bees after deltamethrin and dual treatment. However, in vitro investigations showed no direct interaction of deltamethrin on soluble and membrane AChE activity. The results suggest that the action of deltamethrin on AChE activity, in honeybee intact organisms, could be due to indirect mechanisms. The duality of AChE response to deltamethrin exposure, exhibited by the possibility of increase (surviving bees) or decrease (dead bees) of its activity has been pointed out for the first time. The important increase in AChE activity in response to deltamethrin, not altered by pirimicarb treatment, suggests that AChE activity could represent a robust biomarker specific to deltamethrin exposure in living bees.

Differential presynaptic actions of pyrethroid insecticides on glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus

This study was designed to investigate the effects of several pyrethroids on the extracellular level of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hippocampus of rats measured using microdialysis following systemic (i.p.) administration. Pyrethroids, allethrin (type I), cyhalothrin (type II) and deltamethrin (type II), were found to have differential effects on glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus. Allethrin had an interesting dual effect, increasing glutamate release with low doses (10 and 20mg/kg) to about 175-150% and decreasing glutamate release with high dose (60 mg/kg) to about 50% of baseline. Cyhalothrin (10, 20 and 60 mg/kg) inhibited the release of glutamate dose-dependently to about 60-30% of baseline. The extracellular level of GABA was decreased to about 50% of baseline by 10 and 20mg/kg allethrin. The high dose of allethrin (60 mg/kg) and all doses of cyhalothrin (10, 20 and 60 mg/kg) increased the extracellular level of GABA while decreasing the level of glutamate. Deltamethrin dose-dependently increased extracellular glutamate levels to about 190-275% of baseline while decreasing the level of GABA. Local infusion of TTX (1 microM), a Na(+) channel blocker, completely prevented the effect of allethrin (10, 20 and 60 mg/kg), cyhalothrin (20 and 60 mg/kg) and deltamethrin (20mg/kg) on glutamate and GABA release, but only partially blocked the effects of 60 mg/kg deltamethrin. The effect of deltamethrin (60 mg/kg) on glutamate release was completely prevented by local infusion of nimodipine (10 microM), an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker. Collectively, results from this study suggest that the excitatory glutamatergic neurons in the hippocampus are modulated by inhibitory GABA-releasing interneurons and that other mechanisms, beside sodium channels, may be involved with the neurotoxic action of pyrethroids.