Mitigating effect of pomegranate peel extract against the furan induced testicular injury by apoptosis, steroidogenic enzymes and oxidative stress

Furan is generated in a wide array of heat-treated foods through thermal degradation, leading to severe impairments in the male reproductive system. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) in mitigating testicular dysfunctions induced by furan. Male rats were categorized into four groups: control/untreated, PGPE, furan, and PGPE + furan group. The study results revealed that furan-treated rats exhibited significantly elevated aminotransferase and phosphatase activity, and also generated increased oxidative stress, and reduced antioxidative stress protein activity. Additionally, protein content levels (ALT, AST, ALP, and ACP) and activities of steroidogenic Leydig cell hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) enzymes were significantly decreased. Significant variations in testicular parameters, apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, P53, and Caspase3), inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, IL10), male sex hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and sperm quality were also observed. Furthermore, testicular histological abnormalities were confirmed by biochemical and molecular modifications. Notably, PGPE pre-treated furan-intoxicated animals exhibited significant improvements in most of the assessed parameters compared to furan-treated groups. In conclusion, PGPE presents essential preventive measures and a novel pharmacological potential therapy against furan-induced testicular injury.

Exploring the link between pyrethroids exposure and dopaminergic degeneration through morphometric, immunofluorescence, and in-silico approaches: the therapeutic role of chitosan-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles

Introduction: The synthetic pyrethroid derivative fenpropathrin (FNE), a commonly used insecticide, has been associated with various toxic effects in mammals, particularly neurotoxicity. The study addressed the hallmarks of the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease upon oral exposure to fenpropathrin (FNE), mainly the alteration of dopaminergic markers, oxidative stress, and molecular docking in rat models. In addition, the protective effect of curcumin-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (CRM-Chs-NPs) was also assessed. Methods: In a 60-day trial, 40 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: Control, CRM-Chs-NPs (curcumin-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles), FNE (15 mg/kg bw), and FNE + CRM-Chs-NPs. Results: FNE exposure induced reactive oxygen species generation, ATP production disruption, activation of inflammatory and apoptotic pathways, mitochondrial function and dynamics impairment, neurotransmitter level perturbation, and mitophagy promotion in rat brains. Molecular docking analysis revealed that FNE interacts with key binding sites of dopamine synthesis and transport proteins. On the other hand, CRM-Chs-NPs mitigated FNE's toxic effects by enhancing mitochondrial dynamics, antioxidant activity, and ATP production and promoting anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic responses. Conclusion: In summary, FNE appears to induce dopaminergic degeneration through various mechanisms, and CRM-Chs-NPs emerged as a potential therapeutic intervention for protecting the nervous tissue microenvironment.

Understanding fenpropathrin-induced pulmonary toxicity: What apoptosis, inflammation, and pyreptosis reveal analyzing cross-links at the molecular, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescent levels

Fenpropathrin (FN), a pyrethroid has been linked to potential pulmonary toxic effects to humans via incident direct or indirect ingestion. Thus, we aimed to the investigate the underlying mechanisms of lung toxicity upon exposure to FN in the rat model, besides studying whether curcumin (CCM) and curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoformulation (CCM-Chs) can mitigate FN-induced lung damage. Six distinct groups, namely, control, CCM, CCM-Chs, FN, and CCM + FN, CCM-Chs + FN were assigned separately. The inflammatory, apoptotic, and oxidative stress states, histological, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence examination of different markers within the pulmonary tissue were applied. The results revealed that the FN-induced tissue damage might be caused by the oxidative stress induction and depressed antioxidant glutathione system in the lungs of rats. Furthermore, FN upregulated the expression of genes related to inflammation, and pyroptosis, and elevated the immunoreactivity of Caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor-α, vimentin, and 4-Hydroxynonenal in pulmonary tissues of FN-exposed rats compared to the control. CCM and CCM-Chs mitigated the FN-induced disturbances, while remarkably, CCM-Chs showed better potency than CCM in mitigating the FN-induced toxicity. In conclusion, this study shows the prominent preventive ability of CCM-Chs more than CCM in combatting the pulmonary toxicity induced by FN. This may be beneficial in developing therapeutic and preventive strategies against FN-induced pulmonary toxicity.

Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract Pre-Treatment Alleviates Fenpropathrin-Induced Testicular Injury via Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Adult Male Rats

Fenpropathrin (FNP) is one of the commonly used insecticides in agriculture and domestically, leading to environmental and health problems. The goal of the current investigation was to determine how well pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) could prevent the testicular toxicity and oxidative stress induced by FNP. Four groups of male Wistar rats were randomly assigned: negative control (corn oil), PGPE (500 mg/kg BW), positive control (FNP; 15 mg/kg BW, 1/15 LD₅₀), and PGPE + FNP. For four weeks, the rats received their doses daily and orally via gavage. The major phytochemical components (total phenolic, flavonoids, and tannins contents) detected in PGPE by GC-MS included ellagic acid, hydroxymethylfurfurole, guanosine, and pyrogallol with high total phenolic, flavonoids, and tannin contents. FNP-treated rats showed a marked elevation in testicular levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, and protein carbonyl content, as well as the activity of aminotransferases and phosphatases. Meanwhile. a significant decline in body weight, gonadosomatic index, glutathione, protein contents, enzymatic antioxidants, and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β HSD, and 17β HSD) activity was observed. In addition, significant alterations in testicular P53, Cas-3, Bcl-2, IL-β, IL-10, testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, and sperm quality were detected. Furthermore, biochemical and molecular changes were corroborated testicular histological abnormalities. Moreover, PGPE-pretreated FNP-intoxicated rats demonstrated considerable improvement in the majority of the studied parameters, when compared to FNP-treated groups. Conclusively, PGPE provided a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity caused by FNP, due to its antioxidant-active components.

Effects of several organophosphates on hepatic cytochrome P450 activities in rats

Four commonly used organophosphates (fenitrothion, dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, and trichlorfon) were orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats for five days in order to explore their effects on the activities of liver cytochrome P450 (CYP). In addition, Michaelis-Menten kinetics of the metabolic reactions catalyzed by liver CYPs were analyzed following the addition of these compounds to the assay system to examine their potential inhibitory effects on liver CYPs activities. These reactions included ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, midazolam 4-hydroxylation, tolbutamide hydroxylation, and bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation for CYP1A, 3A, 2C, and 2D activities, respectively. Total CYP content was also examined after oral administration of each organophosphate. Results revealed that oral giving of fenitrothion inhibited significantly CYP1A and 3A activities while elevated activity of CYP2C. Fenitrothion is a potent inhibitor for CYP1A and 2C with Ki values of 0.42 and 36.1 µM, respectively but had a weak inhibitory effect on CYP2D and 3A with Ki values of 290 and 226 µM, respectively. Chlorpyrifos is a potent inhibitor of CYP1A with Ki 0.24 µM and moderately inhibited CYP2C or 3A with Ki values of 84.8 and 77.7 µM, respectively. On the other hand, dichlorvos and trichlorfon caused extremely low or negligible inhibition of different CYP activities. From these results, it is concluded that both fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos may increase the toxicity of chemicals in environmental living organisms through their potent inhibitory effects on these CYP activities, but dichlorvos and trichlorfon may not.

Camel milk rescues neurotoxic impairments induced by fenpropathrin via regulating oxidative stress, apoptotic, and inflammatory events in the brain of rats

This study explored the camel milk (CM) efficacy to ameliorate the fenpropathrin (FNP) induced neurotoxic impacts in rats. Six groups were orally administered physiological saline, corn oil, CM (2ml/rat/day), FNP (15 mg/kg bw daily for 60 days), CM/FNP (protective) or FNP + CM (therapeutic). Sensorimotor functions, memory, exploratory, and locomotor activities were assessed. The levels of dopamine (DOPA) neurotransmitter, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were determined. Brain histopathology and apoptotic markers immunohistochemical detection were performed. The results revealed that FNP exposure resulted in deficit sensorimotor functions, impaired memory, and less exploration. DOPA and AChE Levels were significantly reduced. FNP exposure increased nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, Caspase-3, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels but interleukin 10, total antioxidant capacity, and Bcl-2 levels were declined. Also, FNP exposure induced obvious encephalopathy. Additionally, neurodegenerative changes were seen in the hippocampi of FNP-treated rats. FNP Exposure induced a significant decrease of Bcl-2 immunolabelling but Caspase-3 immunoexpression was increased in cerebral cortices and hippocampus tissues. CM significantly counteracted the FNP injurious impacts, especially when used as a prophylactic routine than a therapeutic one. Conclusively, these findings confirmed that CM could be a biologically effective protective agent against FNP induced neurobehavioral aberrations and neurotoxic impacts.

Fenpropathrin induces testicular damage, apoptosis, and genomic DNA damage in adult rats: Protective role of camel milk

Fenpropathrin (FNP) is a member of the synthetic pyrethroids. Herein, the present study was conducted to investigate, for the first time, the potentially harmful effects of FNP on the reproductive system of male rats. In addition, the prophylactic or concurrent influence of camel milk (CM) was assessed. Adult male rats were divided into five groups; control, vehicle control (oil), CM (2ml/rat/day), FNP (15mg/kg bwt/60 days), CM/FNP (prophylaxis) and FNP /CM (co-treated) groups. Sperm morphology, count, serum testosterone (TES), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), testicular enzymes, and comet assay analysis were estimated. In addition, histopathology, the ultrastructure of testicular tissue and apoptosis were evaluated. Reduced body weight and gonadosomatic index were observed in the FNP exposed group. TES, LH, FSH were markedly declined following FNP treatment. SOD and TAC concentrations were reduced while PC and TBARS were significantly elevated in FNP group indicating oxidative stress. Furthermore, FNP induced DNA damage and apoptosis in the testis which was evidenced histopathologically and by electron microscope examination. CM significantly counteracted FNP reprotoxic effects, particularly at the prophylactic routine (CM/FNP) than the co-exposure (FNP/CM) one. Conclusively, these findings verified that CM could be a potential candidate therapy against FNP reprotoxic impacts.

The effects of epoxiconazole and α-cypermethrin on Daphnia magna growth, reproduction, and offspring size

Two of the main classes of pesticides commonly used in agriculture are azole fungicides and pyrethroid insecticides. Because azoles have been shown to synergize the effect of pyrethroids, the effect of their mixture is of concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sublethal concentrations of epoxiconazole and α-cypermethrin and their mixture on growth, reproduction, and in vivo cytochrome P450 activity of the aquatic crustacean Daphnia magna over 42 d. Continuous exposure to nonlethal concentrations of α-cypermethrin at 20 ng/L negatively affected adult growth and number and size of neonates within the first 14 d of exposure. Exposure to epoxiconazole at 25 μg/L increased protein content of adults within 1 to 3 d after initiating exposure and increased cumulative number of offspring at exposure times >31 d. Epoxiconazole enhanced the negative effect of α-cypermethrin up to 3-fold leading to decreased growth, cytochrome P450 activity, and reproduction of D. magna within the first 14 d of exposure. After 14 d, the synergistic interactions disappeared. The reported effects, although lacking direct negative consequence in the long term, might have cumulative toxicity with other stressors such as food scarcity, predation, and pathogens, posing an additional hazard for the organisms at the beginning of their life cycle. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2155-2166. © 2017 SETAC.

Effectiveness of the liver micronucleus assay using juvenile mice

This study investigated the effectiveness of the liver micronucleus (MN) assay using juvenile mice. Therefore, we analyzed various hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP)- mediated activities of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylation, tolbutamide hydroxylation, bufuralol 1’-hydroxylation, aniline hydroxylation and midazolam 4-hydroxylation by CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP2C, CYP2D, CYP2E and CYP3A, respectively, in non-treated male ICR mice aged between 3 and 8 weeks. The enzyme efficiency levels in 3- and 4-week-old mice were approximately similar to or higher than those in 8-week-old mice, except for CYP1A and CYP2E in 3- and 4-week-old mice, respectively. Since these results suggest that juvenile mice have sufficient activities for most CYP enzymes, we also conducted a liver MN assay using diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a rodent hepatocarcinogen, on male ICR mice aged between 3 and 6 weeks. A peripheral blood (PB) MN assay was performed simultaneously in 4-week-old mice. Assays incorporating DEN produced positive results in 3- and 4-week-old mice and showed a dose-dependent increase in the micronucleated hepatocyte frequencies at 4 weeks. Both the liver MN assay in 5- and 6-week-old mice and the PB MN assay had negative results when using DEN. These results suggest that 3- and 4-week-old mice have micronuclei-inducing potential in the liver to detect genotoxic compounds using the liver MN assay.

Consecutive emamectin benzoate and deltamethrin treatments affect the expressions and activities of detoxification enzymes in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) subjected to three consecutive, alternating treatments with emamectin benzoate (EMB) and deltamethrin (DM) during outbreaks of Caligus rogercresseyi in a farm located in southern Chile (Hornopiren, Chiloé), were studied to determine the effects of these treatments on the protein and enzymatic activity levels of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in different tissues. Consecutive and alternating EMB/DM treatments resulted in a 10-fold increase and 3-fold decrease of CYP1A protein levels in the intestine and gills, respectively. Notably, CYP1A activity levels decreased in most of the analyzed tissues. FMO protein and activity levels markedly increased in the kidney and the intestine. GST was up-regulated in all tissues, either as protein or enzyme activity. When comparing consecutive EMB/DM treatments against previous studies of EMB treatment alone, CYP1A activity levels were similarly diminished, except in muscle. Likewise, FMO activity levels were increased in most of the analyzed tissues, particularly in the muscle, kidney, and intestine. The increases observed for GST were essentially unchanged between consecutive EMB/DM and EMB only treatments. These results indicate that consecutive EMB/DM treatments in rainbow trout induce the expression and activity of FMO and GST enzymes and decrease CYP1A activity. These altered activities of detoxification enzymes could generate imbalances in metabolic processes, synthesis, degradation of hormones and complications associated with drug interactions. It is especially important when analyzing possible effects of consecutive antiparasitic treatments on withholding periods and salmon farming yields.

The 28-day exposure to fenpropathrin decreases locomotor activity and reduces activity of antioxidant enzymes in mice brains

BACKGROUND

Fenpropathrin (Fen) is a pyrethroid (Pyr) insecticide. Pyrs are used in veterinary medicine, in agriculture and for domestic purposes. As their use increases, new questions about their side effects and mode of action in non-target organisms arise. The objective of this work was to characterize dose-response relationship for in vivo motor function and memory in mice exposed to Fen for 28 days and to assess its influence on activity of antioxidant enzymes in mice brains.

METHODS

The experiment was performed using 64 female mice. Fen at the dose of 11.9mg/kg of body mass, 5.95mg/kg or 2.38mg/kg was administered ip to the mice for 28 consecutive days. Motor function and spatial working memory were tested on days 7, 14 and 28. On day 29, the animals were sacrificed and brains were used to determine activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).

RESULTS

Fen significantly decreased locomotor activity in mice receiving the highest dose at every stage of the experiment. Lower doses reduced locomotion on days 7 and 14. Fen did not produce memory impairment. A decrease in activities of SOD and GPx was recorded in mice brains.

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease of SOD activity in mice brains results from direct inhibition of the enzyme by Fen and/or increased utilization due to excessive free radical formation in conditions of Fen-induced oxidative stress. The reduction in GPx activity is probably due to limited glutathione availability. The reduced locomotor activity is a behavioral demonstration of Fen-induced damage in the dopaminergic system.

Multilevel evaluations of potential liver injury of bifenthrin

The widespread use of pesticides, such as pyrethroids, increases health risks to non-target organisms. The potential toxicity of pyrethroids to the liver remains unclear and could be easily overlooked if only the common clinical indicators of liver disease are examined. In the present study, BALB/c mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 0, 2, 4, or 8 mg/kg bifenthrin (BF) for 7 days. The potential liver injury of BF and its underlying mechanism were then investigated through multilevel evaluations. Histological analyses and serum enzyme activities showed no obvious clinical evidence of liver damage. Oxidative stress was induced and caspases were activated in response to increased BF concentrations. Exposure to BF also significantly altered the expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes in dose-dependent relationships. The microarray results showed that BF could disturb the metabolic profile and extensively induce genes related to oxidative stress, including the cytochrome P450 family, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione s-transferases and kinases. In the in vivo model, BF induced liver injury through caspase-mediated mitochondrial-dependent cell death, a process that is closely related to oxidative stress, even in the absence of classical clinical biomarkers of liver dysfunction. The results of this study suggest that classical evaluations are not adequate for liver toxicity of pyrethroids, and highlight the need for more comprehensive assessment of health risks of these widely used pesticides.

Fenpropathrin, a Widely Used Pesticide, Causes Dopaminergic Degeneration

Fenpropathrin is one of the widely used pyrethroids in agriculture and household and also reported to have neurotoxic effects in rodent models. In our Parkinson's disease (PD) clinic, there was a unique patient with a history of daily exposure to fenpropathrin for 6 months prior to developing Parkinsonian symptoms progressively. Since whether fenpropathrin is related to any dopaminergic degeneration was unknown, we aimed in this study to evaluate the neurotoxic effects of fenpropathrin on the dopaminergic system and associated mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. In cultured SH-SY5Y cells, fenpropathrin caused cell death, reactive oxygen species generation, Lewy body-associated proteins aggregation, and Lewy body-like intracytoplasmic inclusions formation. In rodent animals, two different injections of fenpropathrin were used for administrations, intraperitoneal (i.p), or stereotaxical (ST). The rats exhibited lower number of pokes 60 days after first i.p injection, while the rats in ST group showed a significant upregulation of apomorphine-evoked rotations 60 days after first injection. Decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) immunoreactivity, while increased dopamine transporter (DAT) immunoreactivity were observed in rats of either i.p or ST group 60 days after the last exposure to fenpropathrin. However, the number of TH-positive cells in the substantia nigra was more reduced 120 days after the first i.p injection than those of 60 days. Our data demonstrated that exposure to fenpropathrin could mimic the pathologic and pathogenetic features of PD especially in late onset cases. These results imply fenpropathrin as a DA neurotoxin and a possible environmental risk factor for PD.

Imbalance in redox system of rat liver following permethrin treatment in adolescence and neonatal age

The effect of different permethrin treatments on the redox system of rat liver, is presented. Two types of oral administration were chosen: (i) sub-chronic treatment (1/10 of LD50 for 60 days) during adolescence (5 weeks old) and (ii) sub-acute treatment (1/44 of LD50 for 15 days) during early life (from postnatal days 6-21). The results show that adolescent permethrin treatment induces damage to the liver redox system, increasing lipid and protein peroxidation and reducing membrane fluidity in the hydrophilic--hydrophobic region of the bilayer. In addition, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and GSH levels resulted decreased, while glutathione transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) levels increased. The rats treated in early life with permethrin and sacrificed in adult age, showed less signs of damage compared to those exposed during adolescence in which lipid peroxidation was increased by 32%, whereas for the first group the raise was only 11%. Moreover, fluidity improved in the deeper hydrophobic membrane region of the treated group, while the level of CAT was significantly lower compared to the control one. Although sub-chronic treatment increased CAT and GST and decreased GPx and GSH levels, the present data suggest that a shorter exposure to permethrin during neonatal age decreased CAT level and it could represent an important risk factor for the onset of long-term liver damage.

Liver tumor promoting effect of etofenprox in rats and its possible mechanism of action

To investigate the liver tumor-promoting effects of etofenprox (ETF), a pyrethroid-like insecticide, 6 week-old male F344 rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN). After 2 weeks from the DEN treatment, 12 rats per group received a powdered diet containing 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 1.0% ETF for 8 weeks. At the time of 2nd week of ETF administration, all animals were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH). One rat per group except for the 0.25% ETF group died due to surgical operation of PH. The number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci significantly increased in the livers of DEN-initiated rats given 0.50% and 1.0% ETF compared with the DEN-alone group. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of phase I enzymes Cyp2b1/2, phase II enzymes such as Akr7a3, Gsta5, Ugt1a6, Nqo1 significantly increased in the DEN+ETF groups. The immunohistochemistry showed the translocation of CAR from the cytoplasm to the nuclei of hepatocytes in the ETF-treated groups. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased in microsomes isolated from the livers of ETF-treated rats, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels and 8- hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content significantly increased in all of the ETF-treated groups and DEN+1.0% ETF group, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that ETF has a liver tumor-promoting activity in rats, and suggest that ETF activates the constitutive active/androstane receptor (CAR) and enhances microsomal ROS production, resulting in the upregulation of Nrf2 gene batteries; such an oxidative stress subsequently induces liver tumor-promoting effects by increased cellular proliferation.