Sublethal Doses Of Endosulfan Research Articles

Exposure to endosulfan can cause long term effects on general biology, including the reproductive system of mice.

Increased infertility in humans is attributed to the increased use of environmental chemicals in the last several decades. Various studies have identified pesticides as one of the causes of reproductive toxicity. In a previous study, infertility was observed in male mice due to testicular atrophy and decreased sperm count when a sublethal dose of endosulfan (3mg/kg) with a serum concentration of 23μg/L was used. However, the serum concentration of endosulfan was much higher (up to 500μg/L) in people living in endosulfan-exposed areas compared to the one used in the investigation. To mimic the situation in an experimental setup, mice were exposed to 5mg/kg body weight of endosulfan, and reproductive toxicity and long-term impact on the general biology of animals were examined. HPLC analysis revealed a serum concentration of ∼50μg/L of endosulfan after 24h endosulfan exposure affected the normal physiology of mice. Histopathological studies suggest a persistent, severe effect on reproductive organs where vacuole degeneration of basal germinal epithelial cells and degradation of the interstitial matrix were observed in testes. Ovaries showed a reduction in the number of mature Graafian follicles. At the same time, mild vacuolation in liver hepatocytes and changes in the architecture of the lungs were observed. Endosulfan exposure induced DNA damage and mutations in germ cells at the molecular level. Interestingly, even after 8 months of endosulfan exposure, we observed increased DNA breaks in reproductive tissues. An increased DNA Ligase III expression was also observed, consistent with reported elevated levels of MMEJ-mediated repair. Further, we observed the generation of tumors in a few of the treated mice with time. Thus, the study not only explores the changes in the general biology of the mice upon exposure to endosulfan but also describes the molecular mechanism of its long-term effects.

Effects of vitamin C on pathology and caspase-3 activity of kidneys with subacute endosulfan toxicity

Endosulfan is an insecticide that is composed of two stereoisomers: α- and β- endosulfan in an approximate ratio of 70:30. Owing to its widespread use, poisoning of both humans and animals is possible. We examined the toxic effects of endosulfan on New Zealand white rabbit kidneys. Rabbit kidneys were examined histopathologically and caspase-3 activity was detected using immunohistochemistry. Animals were divided into four groups: Group 1 was given a sublethal dose of endosulfan in corn oil by oral gavage daily for 6 weeks, Group 2 was given endosulfan + vitamin C during the same period, Group 3 was given corn oil daily and vitamin C on alternate days, Group 4 was given only corn oil daily throughout the experiment. By the end of experimental period, the concentration of α-endosulfan was greater than the β-endosulfan concentration in the kidneys of both of endosulfan treated groups (Groups 1 and 2). Decreased accumulation of α- and β-endosulfan was observed in Group 2, possibly because of the antioxidant effect of the vitamin C. Histopathological examination revealed hemorrhages, tubule cell necrosis, glomerular infiltration, glomerulosclerosis and proteinaceous material in the tubules, and Bowman spaces in the kidneys of Group 1. Caspase-3 reaction was stronger in Group 1 than in the other groups. Apoptotic activity was most frequent in proximal tubule cells. Endosulfan is toxic to rabbit kidneys. Vitamin C treatment reduced the accumulation of endosulfan in kidneys and reduced its toxicity.

Endosulfan-induced neurotoxicity and serum acetylcholinesterase inhibition in rabbits: The protective effect of Vit C

The neurotoxic effects and acetylcholinesterase inhibition induced by endosulfan, and the amelioration of these effects by Vitamin C (Vit C), were studied in the brains of New Zealand white rabbits. The cerebrum and cerebellum of each rabbit was examined grossly and histopathologically, and caspase-3 activity was determined by immunohistochemical methods. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups ( n = 6). Rabbits in Group I (END) were given a sublethal dose of endosulfan (1 mg/kg bw) in corn oil daily by oral gavage for 6 weeks. Group II (END + C) received the same dose of endosulfan and also Vit C (20 mg/kg bw) every second day during the 6 week period. Group III (OIL + C) received oral corn oil daily and Vit C every second day for 6 weeks. Group IV (OIL) received corn oil daily by oral gavage throughout the experiment. A significant reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity was observed in the END group, which was ameliorated in the END + C group. Hyperemia and slight hemorrhages in brains and cerebellums were seen in some rabbits in the END group. There were no gross cerebral or cerebellar lesions in the other groups. Hemorrhages, degenerations and slight gliosis were the marked histopathological findings of some rabbits belonging to the END group. A positive caspase-3 reaction was more severe in the END group than in the others. An ameliorating effect of Vit C on gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings was observed in the END + C group. Thus, although endosulfan could cause neurotoxic effects in rabbits, this toxicity was decreased by Vit C treatment, which increased serum acetylcholinesterase activity.

Effect of vitamin C in reducing the toxicity of endosulfan in liver in rabbits

In this study, the effect of endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, and the ameliorating effect of vitamin C on the livers of New Zealand white rabbits were studied. Livers of the rabbits were examined grossly and histopathologically, and caspase-3 activity was detected by immunohistochemical methods. A total of twenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups ( n=6). Rabbits in Group I (END) were daily given a sublethal dose of endosulfan (1 mg/kg bw) in corn oil by oral gavage for 6 weeks. Group II (END+C) received the same dose of endosulfan and additionally Vit C (20 mg/kg bw) every other day during this period. Group III (OIL+C) received corn oil daily by oral gavage and vitamin C every other day for 6 weeks. Group IV (OIL), the control group, received only corn oil daily, by oral gavage throughout the experiment. The concentration of α-endosulfan in the END group was higher in livers (0.102±0.012 ppb) than the β-endosulfan (0.072±0.001 ppb). Decreased accumulation of α and β endosulfan was observed in the END+C group (0.025±0.003 and 0.016±0.002 ppb, respectively) ( p<0.0001). The most prominent gross findings at the necropsy were seen in the END group, in which swollen and pale livers were commonly observed. Hemorrhages, degenerations, necrosis, and in some rabbits bile duct hyperplasia were the marked histopathological findings of the END group. Caspase-3 positive reaction was more severe in this group than in the others. An ameliorating effect of Vit C on gross, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings was observed in the END+C group. The results revealed that endosulfan is highly toxic for rabbit livers. However, toxicity was decreased by Vit C treatment, which reduced the accumulation of endosulfan in livers four-fold.

Effect of endosulfan on lipid synthesis by the hepatopancreas of the field crabParatelphusa hydrodromus

Abstract The effect of repetitive sublethal doses of endosulfan on the synthesis of lipids by the hepatopancreas of the field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus, was tested. The lipid content of the tissues tested decreased during the course of poisoning. The decrease in total lipids correlates with increased lipase activity in the hepatopancreas. The incorporation of 14C acetate into lipids by the hepatopancreas exposed to sublethal concentrations of endosulfan declined. The decline in the in vitro as well as in vivo incorporation suggest endosulfan's involvement in inhibiting the lipid synthesizing ability of the hepatopancreas.

Residues in fish exposed to sublethal doses of endosulfan and fish collected from cotton growing area.

A one step extraction and cleanup procedure for determining endosulfan in fish was investigated. Minced Fish was mixed with trisodium citrate, disodium hydrogen orthophosphate and sodium sulphate into a dry powdery mixture, which was eluted through silicic acid and alumina with a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane. The eluate was concentrated and chromatographed on GLC using an EC detector without further cleanup. Three species of fresh water fish exposed to 0.7-16 micrograms/litre-1 technical grade endosulfan in tanks for various periods of time were found to concentrate both alpha and beta endosulfan and metabolise them to sulfate, diol, ether and lactone. Fish collected from Gwydir River in the cotton growing area in summer (Dec. 1986-Feb. 1987) were found to contain endosulfan residues suggesting endosulfan is quite stable in the environment and can cause residues.

Impairments induced by sublethal doses of two pesticides in the ovaries of a freshwater teleost Channa striatus bloch

Impairments induced by sublethal doses of two pesticides Carbaryl and Endosulfan have been studied on the ovaries of a freshwater teleost Channa striatus by exposing the fish for a period of 2 to 30 days during the spawning season. The pesticide exposure produced reduction in the number of oocytes, reduction in size and deformity in different stages of oocytes, damage to yolk vesicles in maturing and mature oocytes, increase in the number of atretic oocytes, development of interfollicular spaces, increase in the connective tissue of tunica albuginea, dilation of blood vessels and reduction in the gonadosomatic index. The histopathological effects were dependent on the dose, duration of exposure, and the type of pesticide. Sublethal doses of Endosulfan were more toxic than those of Carbaryl.