Abstract
Acetamiprid, which is a neonicotinoid insecticide, is used to control leafy vegetables, fruiting vegetables, fir seeds, citrus fruits, pome fruits, grapes, cotton and ornamental plants and absorbent insects on flowers. The present study aim to evaluate global DNA methylation and gene expression of DNA methylation related enzymes in liver and brain tissues of male Sprague-Dawley rats after a 90-day subchronic exposure to acetamiprid at low doses of 12.5, 25 and 35 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Global DNA methylation resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC%) at the doses of 25 and 35 mg/kg b.w. in the liver and 35 mg/kg b.w. in the brain compared to the vehicle control group. Consistently, expression of DNA methyltransferase enzymes decreased at doses of 12.5, 25 and 35 mg/kg b.w. in liver and 35 mg/kg b.w. in brain. It has been suggested that non-genotoxic (epigenetic) mechanisms may be involved in the toxicity of acetamiprid and further investigations are needed to elucidate the epigenetic effects of neonicotinoid insecticides.
Highlights
Pesticides are defined as substances or mixtures of substances used to remove, reduce, suppress or degrade harmful organisms in order to increase productivity in agriculture
35 mg/ kg b.w. of acetamiprid significantly decreased expression levels of DNMT1 (2.44 fold), DNMT3a (2.63 fold) and DNMT3b (1.92 fold) in brain in comparison with the vehicle control group. Due to their low cost and easy application, the use of pesticides have been preferred as a way of combating plant diseases, pests and weeds which cause a loss of significant amounts of the product or product quality at postharvest storage and agricultural production times
Incorrect applications of pesticides by manufacturers at harvest and Statistical analysis Results of 5-mC% levels and gene expression were represented as mean ± standard deviation (SD)
Summary
Pesticides are defined as substances or mixtures of substances used to remove, reduce, suppress or degrade harmful organisms in order to increase productivity in agriculture. Neonicotinoids are a relatively new type of insecticide used to control a variety of pests in agriculture and livestock (Honda et al 2006). These pesticides are currently preferred to organophosphates and carbamates throughout the world owing to their ability of resistance against day light and higher toxicity to insects than mammals and aquatic organisms because of their affinity to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in insects (Kiriyama et al 2003; Tomizawa and Casida, 2003; Casida and Quistad, 2004; Whitacre and Ware, 2004; Ford 2008; Yu 2008). LD50 value of acetamiprid is 140-417 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) in different rat strains (Kanungo and Solecki 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
