Dichlorvos poisoning caused chicken cerebrum tissue damage and related apoptosis-related gene changes

Pesticide-Induced Alterations in Locomotor Activity, Anxiety, and Depression-like Behavior Are Mediated through Oxidative Stress-Related Autophagy: A Persistent Developmental Study in Mice

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), dichlorvos (DDV), and cypermethrin (CP), as commonly used pesticides, have been implicated in inducing neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression-like behaviors, and locomotor activity impairment. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of these adverse effects, particularly in both sexes and their next-generation effects, remain unclear. In this study, we conducted behavioral analysis, along with cellular assays (monodansylcadaverine staining) and molecular investigations (qRT-PCR and western blotting of mTOR, P62, and Beclin-1) to clear the potential role of autophagy in pesticide-induced behavioral alterations. For this purpose, 42 adult female and 21 male inbred ICR mice (F0) were distributed into seven groups. Maternal mice (F0) and 112 F1 offspring were exposed to 0.5 and 1 ppm of CPF, DDV, and CP through drinking water. F1 male and female animals were studied to assess the sex-specific effects of pesticides on brain tissue. Our findings revealed pronounced anxiogenic effects and impaired locomotor activity in mice. F1 males exposed to CPF (1 ppm) exhibited significantly elevated depression-like behaviors compared to other groups. Moreover, pesticide exposure reduced mTOR and P62 levels, while enhancing the Beclin-1 gene and protein expression. These changes in autophagy signaling pathways, coupled with oxidative and neurogenic damage in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, potentially contribute to heightened locomotor activity, anxiety, and depression-like behaviors following pesticide exposure. This study underscores the substantial impact of pesticides on both physiological and behavioral aspects, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive assessments and regulatory considerations for pesticide use. Additionally, the identification of sex-specific responses presents a crucial dimension for pharmaceutical sciences, highlighting the need for tailored therapeutic interventions and further research in this field.

Terbuthylazine exposure induces innate immune response and inflammation through activating cGAS-STING/NF-κB pathway in myocardium of broiler chicken (Gallus gallus)

Terbuthylazine (TBA), a triazine herbicide, is extensively employed in agriculture for its wide range of effectiveness. However, prolonged utilization of TBA can pose a potential hazard to animals and human health. Here, a total of 180 broiler chickens (Gallus gallus) were stochastically assigned to three groups (control group, 0.4 mg/kg TBA group, and 4 mg/kg TBA group) for investigating the impact of TBA on cardiotoxicity. The results revealed that TBA exposure resulted in pathological alterations in the myocardium. Moreover, TBA exposure activated cGAS-STING pathway and markedly elevated the mRNA and protein expression levels of innate immune response (cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3) in myocardium. Additionally, NF-κB signal was also activated under TBA exposure, which was characterized by the increasing mRNA expression levels of NF-κB, IKKα and the protein expression levels of p-NF-κB/NF-κB, IKKα, p-IκBα/IκBα in the TBA treatment groups. Meanwhile, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) were also significantly increased. In summary, our findings suggested that cGAS-STING/NF-κB pathway functionated in the innate immune response and inflammation in myocardium brought on by TBA exposure, which provided new insights into the TBA toxicology.

Resveratrol protects against cadmium-induced cerebrum toxicity through modifications of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in microsomes

BACKGROUND

Cadmium (Cd), known as a vital contaminant in the environment, penetrates the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the cerebrum. Acute toxicosis of Cd, which leads to lethal cerebral edema, intracellular accumulation and cellular dysfunction, remains to be illuminated with regard to the exact molecular mechanism of cerebral toxicity. Resveratrol (RES), present in the edible portions of numerous plants, is a simply acquirable and correspondingly less toxic natural compound with neuroprotective potential, which provides some theoretical bases for antagonizing Cd-induced cerebral toxicity.

RESULTS

This work was executed to research the protective effects of RES against Cd-induced toxicity in chicken cerebrum. Markedly, these lesions were increased in the Cd group, which also exhibited a thinner cortex, reduced granule cells, vacuolar degeneration, and an enlarged medullary space in the cerebrum. Furthermore, Cd induced CYP450 enzyme metabolism disorders by disrupting the nuclear xenobiotic receptor response (NXRs), enabling the cerebrum to reduce the ability to metabolize exogenous substances, eventually leading to Cd accumulation. Meanwhile, accumulated Cd promoted oxidative damage and synergistically promoted the damage to neurons and glial cells.

CONCLUSION

RES initiated NXRs (especially for aromatic receptor and pregnancy alkane X receptor), decreasing the expression of CYP450 genes, changing the content of CYP450, maintaining CYP450 enzyme normal activities, and exerting antagonistic action against the Cd-induced abnormal response of nuclear receptors. These results suggest that the cerebrum toxicity caused by Cd was reduced by pretreatment with RES. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mechanosensitive Ion Channel PIEZO1 Signaling in the Hall-Marks of Cancer: Structure and Functions

Simple Summary

Tumor cells obtain various unique characteristics, which known as hallmarks of cancers, including sustained proliferative signaling, apoptosis resistance, and metastasis. These characteristics are crucial for tumor cells survival and for supporting their rapid growth. Studies have revealed that tumorigenesis is also accompanied by alteration in mechanical properties. Tumor cells could sense various mechanical forces, such as compressive force, shear stress, and portal vein pressure, which in turn could affect tumor progression. Piezo1 is a mechanically sensitive ion channel protein that can be activated mechanically, and is closely related to various diseases. Recent studies showed that Piezo1 is overexpressed in numerous tumors and is associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, previous studies revealed that Piezo1 mediates these cancer hallmarks, and thus links up mechanical forces with tumor progression. Therefore, the discovery of Piezo1 provides a new insight for elucidating the mechanism of tumor progression under a mechanical microenvironment.

Abstract

Tumor cells alter their characteristics and behaviors during tumorigenesis. These characteristics, known as hallmarks of cancer, are crucial for supporting their rapid growth, need for energy, and adaptation to tumor microenvironment. Tumorigenesis is also accompanied by alteration in mechanical properties. Cells in tumor tissue sense mechanical signals from the tumor microenvironment, which consequently drive the acquisition of hallmarks of cancer, including sustained proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, apoptosis resistance, sustained angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Piezo1) is a mechanically sensitive ion channel protein that can be activated mechanically and is closely related to various diseases. Recent studies showed that Piezo1 mediates tumor development through multiple mechanisms, and its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, the discovery of Piezo1, which links-up physical factors with biological properties, provides a new insight for elucidating the mechanism of tumor progression under a mechanical microenvironment, and suggests its potential application as a tumor marker and therapeutic target. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the role of Piezo1 in regulating cancer hallmarks and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of Piezo1 as an antitumor therapeutic target and the limitations that need to be overcome.

Avermectin induces carp neurotoxicity by mediating blood-brain barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways

Avermectin, a "low toxicity insecticide", has been widely used in recent years, but its non-target toxicity, especially to aquatic organisms, has been neglected. In this study, we evaluated the neurotoxic effects of avermectin on carp by establishing a 96 h avermectin acute toxicity test, and its possible mechanism was discussed. The 96 h LC₅₀ of avermectin in carp was found to be 24.04 μg/L. Therefore, 3.005 μg/L and 12.02 μg/L were used as the low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively, to investigate the neurotoxic effects of avermectin on carp. The results of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that avermectin accumulated in the carp brain. Histopathological observation and immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) of TNF-α and Bax showed that avermectin exposure led to inflammatory cell infiltration and neuronal necrosis. The mRNA levels of tight junction genes and the IHC results of ZO-1 and Occludin showed that the structure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was destroyed. Biochemical analysis showed that avermectin induced the accumulation of MDA in the brain and decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD, leading to oxidative stress. In addition, avermectin induces brain inflammation by activating NF-κB pathway and releasing inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS. TEM and TUNEL assays showed that exposure to avermectin induced apoptosis in brain. what is more, the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins suggested that avermectin-induced apoptosis may be associated with inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study also showed that avermectin-induced NF-κB signaling activation was partially dependent on its upstream PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, this study concludes that avermectin can induce neurotoxicity in carp by disrupting the blood-brain barrier structure and generating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis and that NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways are involved in this process.

Preparation of a JAZF1 protein polyclonal antibody and its potential role in broiler ascites syndrome

As a novel functional protein, juxtaposed with another zinc finger protein 1 (JAZF1) can regulate the growth and apoptosis through various pathways, and maintain the body's normal physiological metabolism. To explore the important role of JAZF1 in broiler ascites syndrome (BAS), we analysed the expression and distribution of the protein in poultry and mammal tissues based on the prepared polyclonal antibody. In this study, the recombinant plasmid PET32a-JAZF1 was constructed by TA cloning, subcloning and other technical methods, and the fusion protein His-JAZF1 was successfully expressed. After purification, His-JAZF1 was used as the antigen to prepare high-quality chicken-derived antibodies. Subsequently, the results showed that JAZF1 protein in broiler tissues could be specifically recognized by this antibody. Immunofluorescence showed that JAZF1 protein mainly exists in the cytoplasm of pulmonary artery, liver, kidney, heart and lung tissue cells of various animals. The expression of this protein was more obvious in broiler and duck tissues than in mammalian tissues. In addition, western blotting combined with immunofluorescence showed that BAS caused a significant decrease in JAZF1 protein in tissue cells. This effect further indicated that JAZF1 protein was closely related to the occurrence of BAS and provided a new entry point for the functional study of JAZF1 protein.

DNA damage and cell apoptosis induced by fungicide difenoconazole in mouse mononuclear macrophage RAW264.7

Difenoconazole (DFC) is a typical triazole fungicide. Because of its effective bactericidal activity, it has been widely used in agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables. This study revealed the cytotoxic effect of fungicide DFC on mouse monocyte macrophage RAW264.7. The results showed that the IC₅₀ value of DFC on RAW264.7 cells was 37.08 μM (24 h). DFC can significantly inhibit the viability of RAW264.7 cells, induce DNA damage and enhance apoptosis. The established cytotoxicity test showed that DFC-induced DNA double strand breaks in RAW264.7 cells. DFC-treated cells showed typical morphological changes of apoptosis, including chromatin condensation and nuclear lysis. In addition, DFC can induce the release of Cyt c, promote the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in RAW264.7 cells. Through this research, people further understand the toxicity of DFC and provide a more scientific basis for its safety application and risk management.

Advances in organophosphorus pesticides pollution: Current status and challenges in ecotoxicological, sustainable agriculture, and degradation strategies

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are one of the most widely used types of pesticide that play an important role in the production process due to their effects on preventing pathogen infection and increasing yield. However, in the early development and application of OPPs, their toxicological effects and the issue of environmental pollution were not considered. With the long-term overuse of OPPs, their hazards to the ecological environment (including soil and water) and animal health have attracted increasing attention. Therefore, this review first clarified the classification, characteristics, applications of various OPPs, and the government's restriction requirements on various OPPs. Second, the toxicological effects and metabolic mechanisms of OPPs and their metabolites were introduced in organisms. Finally, the existing methods of degrading OPPs were summarized, and the challenges and further addressing strategy of OPPs in the sustainable development of agriculture, the environment, and ecology were prospected. However, methods to solve the environmental and ecological problems caused by OPPs from the three aspects of use source, use process, and degradation methods were proposed, which provided a theoretical basis for addressing the stability of the ecological environment and improving the structure of the pesticide industry in the future.

Molybdenum and cadmium co-induce hypothalamus toxicity in ducks via disturbing Nrf2-mediated defense response and triggering mitophagy

Growing evidences reveal that Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense response and mitophagy are involved in the toxic mechanism of heavy metals, but the effects of molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) co-exposure on Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense response and mitophagy in duck hypothalamus have yet to be elucidated. Herein, 40 healthy 7-day-old ducks were randomly assigned to 4 groups and fed diets containing different doses of Mo or/and Cd for 16 weeks, respectively. The data demonstrated that Mo or/and Cd notably elevated their contents in hypothalamus, decreased Cu, Fe, Zn and Se contents, caused pathological damage and oxidative stress accompanied by elevating MDA content and reducing CAT, T-AOC, T-SOD, GSH-Px activities. Moreover, Mo or/and Cd not only restrained Nrf2 pathway by decreasing Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, GST, CAT, SOD1, GCLM mRNA expression levels and Nrf2 protein expression level, but also disturbed mitochondrial dynamics and triggered PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy by enhancing MFF, PINK1, Parkin, Bnip3, LC3A, LC3B mRNA expression levels and PINK1, Parkin, LC3B-II/LC3B-I protein expression levels, inhibiting Mfn1, Mfn2, OPA1, P62 mRNA expression levels and P62 protein expression level, and facilitating the colocalization between LC3 and HSP60. The changes of above factors were most remarkable under Mo and Cd co-treatment. Overall, the results elucidate that Mo and Cd can synergistically inhibit Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense response and activate PINK1/Parkin pathway-dependent mitophagy in duck hypothalamus, whose mechanism is somehow related to Mo and Cd accumulation.