Abstract
Mancozeb (MZ), a manganese- and zinc-containing ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate, is a broad-spectrum fungicide. Harmful effects of this fungicide have been reported in nontarget organisms via a not fully understood mechanism. Drosophila melanogaster has provided remarkable contributions for toxicological studies. This work was aimed at evaluating the biochemical targets and implication of oxidative stress in MZ-mediated toxicity in drosophilas. Exposure of flies for fifteen days to MZ at 5 and 10 mg/mL through the diet impaired locomotor performance and induced fly mortality. In parallel, it caused lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and Mn overload. MZ inhibited superoxide dismutase and inducted catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities. Nitric oxide and reduced glutathione levels were significantly decreased by MZ. Heat shock proteins (HSP70 and HSP83) and Nrf2 mRNA levels were significantly augmented in MZ-exposed flies. Our study reinforced the use of Drosophila melanogaster as a reliable model for the study of biochemical targets of pesticides, and based on our data, MZ induced oxidative damage and Mn accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. An adaptative cellular state was inducted by the lower concentration of pesticide, possibly contributing to the slighter damage observed.
Highlights
Mancozeb is a broad-spectrum contact fungicide (MZ) that has been widely used in agriculture for controlling fungal infections in different crops such as soybean, tobacco, and ornamental plants [1]
Adult rats treated for prolonged periods with MZ presented hepatotoxicity and DNA damage with an augmented frequency of micronuclei [4, 5]
This study is aimed at investigating the effects from consumption of MZ through the diet on survivorship; locomotor performance; and biochemical parameters as oxidative stress; modulation of activity; and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes, HSPs, and Nrf2 in fruit flies
Summary
Mancozeb (manganese/zinc ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate) is a broad-spectrum contact fungicide (MZ) that has been widely used in agriculture for controlling fungal infections in different crops such as soybean, tobacco, and ornamental plants [1]. MZ is categorized as mildly toxic for vertebrates; evidence from animal experimentation reported neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and endocrine dysfunctions associated with exposure to this compound. MZ induced chromosomal aberrations and caspase activation in cultured human lymphocytes [2]; alteration in amino acid content in cerebellum and lower locomotor activity in pups exposed prenatally to MZ were reported [3]. Deleterious effects of mancozeb were visualized in invertebrates as well, reducing the lifespan of butterflies. MZ decreased body and progeny and induced leg paralysis in fruit flies [7]
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