Advances in Pesticide-Induced Inflammation and Disease

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 5914

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503900, Brazil
Interests: identification of mechanistic biomarkers of metabolic processes and pathways of venomous fish toxins and drugs, using zebrafish embryos as a preclinical pharmacotoxicology model organism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503900, Brazil
Interests: venomous fish toxins as molecular tools to study the mechanisms underlying inflammatory processes; recapitulating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in zebrafish embryos
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are seeing an increase in the use of pesticides around the world. At the same time, emerging scientific evidence demonstrates the real risks, that pesticides pose to human health. Studies have shown, that pesticides cause transient or permanent changes in the immune system, particularly it’s relationship with the inflammatory process. Thus, this Special Issue is dedicated to scientific works, that clarify the role of pesticides in inflammatory diseases. These findings could contribute to public policies, that aim to guide the use of pesticides and the potential risks for the population.

Prof. Dr. Mônica Lopes-Ferreira
Dr. Carla Lima
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • pesticides
  • inflammation
  • inflammatory diseases
  • human health
  • toxicity

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3084 KiB  
Article
Effects of Metamifop on Defense Systems in Monopterus albus
by Tianyu Guan, Yi Zhang, Qianqian Zhu, Long Wang, Jianbin Feng, Hui Wang and Jiale Li
Toxics 2023, 11(10), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11100811 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1446
Abstract
The effects of herbicides on non-target organisms in paddy fields have become a popular research topic. As a widely used herbicide, it is necessary to explore the potential toxicity of metamifop in non-target organisms, especially aquatic animals, in co-culture mode. In the present [...] Read more.
The effects of herbicides on non-target organisms in paddy fields have become a popular research topic. As a widely used herbicide, it is necessary to explore the potential toxicity of metamifop in non-target organisms, especially aquatic animals, in co-culture mode. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of metamifop (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L) on the defense system (antioxidation, immunity, and apoptosis) in Monopterus albus. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and protein carbonylation (PCO) increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increasing metamifop concentration, resulting in oxidative damage. In the antioxidant system, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the 0.2 mg/L treatment group compared with the control group, and decreased in 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L treatment groups. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increasing metamifop concentration. In the immune system, white cell number (WCN) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in 0.2 mg/L treatment group, and then decreased with the increase in metamifop concentration. Compared with control group, acid phosphatase (ACP) activity not only increased significantly (p < 0.05) in 0.2 mg/L treatment group, but also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared with the increase in metamifop concentration. However, in all treatment groups, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). In the inflammatory response, TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels in the NF-κB signaling pathway decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in metamifop concentration, while IL-8 expression level in the same signaling pathway increased significantly (p < 0.05) in treatment groups. The expression levels of genes related to apoptosis showed that apoptosis was promoted after exposure to metamifop. The results of the present study show that metamifop induced oxidative damage via a high level of ROS production, and then inhibited or damaged the defense systems of M. albus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pesticide-Induced Inflammation and Disease)
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19 pages, 4219 KiB  
Article
Ameliorative Effect of Thymoquinone and Thymoquinone Nanoparticles against Diazinon-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats: A Possible Protection Mechanism
by Walaa M. Nassar, Wafaa M. El-Kholy, Mamdouh R. El-Sawi, Nagi M. El-Shafai, Badriyah S. Alotaibi, Heba I. Ghamry and Mustafa Shukry
Toxics 2023, 11(9), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11090783 - 15 Sep 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1971
Abstract
The health benefits of thymoquinone (TQ) have been a significant focus of numerous studies. However, more research is needed to ascertain whether its nano-form can effectively treat or prevent chronic diseases. In this study, we investigated how thymoquinone and its nanoparticles can mitigate [...] Read more.
The health benefits of thymoquinone (TQ) have been a significant focus of numerous studies. However, more research is needed to ascertain whether its nano-form can effectively treat or prevent chronic diseases. In this study, we investigated how thymoquinone and its nanoparticles can mitigate liver damage induced by diazinon in male Wistar rats and explored the intracellular mechanisms involved. Forty-two Wistar male rats (n = 42) were randomly allotted into seven groups. Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 (vehicle) consisted of rats that received corn oil via a gastric tube daily. In Group 3 (TQ), rats were given a daily oral administration of TQ (40 mg/kg bw). Group 4 (thymoquinone nanoparticles, NTQ) included rats that received NTQ (0.5 mg/kg bw) orally for 21 days. Group 5 (DZN) involved rats that were administered diazinon (DZN, 15 mg/kg bw) orally. In Group 6 (TQ + DZN), rats first received TQ orally, followed by DZN. Group 7 (NTQ + DZN) consisted of rats receiving NTQ orally, then DZN. After 21 days of treatment, the rats were euthanized. After oral administration of DZN, liver enzymes were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were noticeable increases in oxidative injury markers, such as nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, redox oxygen radicals, and overall increases in hydrogen peroxide and liver protein carbonyl concentrations. This was accompanied by the upregulation of apoptotic markers (Bax, caspase9, caspase 3, bax/Bcl2 ratio), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and DNA damage. There was also a noteworthy decrease (p < 0.05) in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and anti-apoptotic markers. However, the oral administration of thymoquinone or its nanoparticle form mitigated these diazinon complications; our histopathological findings corroborated our biochemical and molecular observations. In conclusion, the significant antioxidant properties of thymoquinone, or its nanoparticle form, in tandem with the downregulation of apoptotic markers and inflammatory cytokines, provided a protective effect against hepatic dysfunction caused by diazinon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pesticide-Induced Inflammation and Disease)
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Review

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15 pages, 2235 KiB  
Review
Pesticide-Induced Inflammation at a Glance
by Monica Lopes-Ferreira, Luiz Rogério Ludwig Farinha, Yasmin Stefanie Oliveira Costa, Felipe Justiniano Pinto, Geonildo Rodrigo Disner, João Gabriel dos Santos da Rosa and Carla Lima
Toxics 2023, 11(11), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11110896 - 31 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1975
Abstract
The increasing number of studies reporting the risks of the exposure to pesticides aligned with the intensified use of such hazardous chemicals has emerged as a pressing contemporary issue, notably due to the potential effects to both the environment and human health. Pesticides, [...] Read more.
The increasing number of studies reporting the risks of the exposure to pesticides aligned with the intensified use of such hazardous chemicals has emerged as a pressing contemporary issue, notably due to the potential effects to both the environment and human health. Pesticides, while broadly applied in modern agriculture for pest control and crop protection, have raised concerns due to their unintended effects on non-target organisms. The immune system exerts a key role in the protection against the exposome, which could result in cellular imbalances and tissue damage through the inflammatory response. Pesticides, which encompass a diverse array of chemicals, have been linked to inflammation in experimental models. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the increasing concern over the risks of pesticide exposure focusing on the effects of various chemical classes on inflammation by covering, as broadly as possible, different experimental approaches as well as the multiple or co-exposure of pesticides. Overall, pesticides potentially induce inflammation in different experimental models, manifested through skin irritation, respiratory impairment, or systemic effects. The connection between pesticides and inflammation highlights the importance of proper handling and regulation of these substances and underscores the need for research into safer and sustainable practices to reduce our reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pesticide-Induced Inflammation and Disease)
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