Cardiac energy metabolism disorder mediated by energy substrate imbalance and mitochondrial damage upon tebuconazole exposure

Tebuconazole-based fungicide impairs embryonic development of the South African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis

Tebuconazole (TBZ) is a broad-spectrum fungicide that disrupts fungal cell membrane. Due to its extensive application in agriculture, TBZ is frequently detected in aquatic ecosystems, posing potential risks to amphibians. However, the effects of TBZ-based formulations on amphibian development remain poorly understood. The present study investigates the effects of the TBZ-based fungicide Tebucur on the embryogenesis of the South African clawed frog. Two-cell stage embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of Tebucur (0.01-100 mg a.i./L) in a static non-renewal bioassay. The exposure time varied between four and 14 days, depending on the desired developmental stage of the embryos and the analysis method. Tebucur exposure resulted in mortality with a LC50-value of 8.0 mg a.i./L at 14 days. As well, various morphological abnormalities during neural and cardiac development emerged. Additionally, a reduction of overall mobility was observed. This underlines the need for strict regulation of the use of TBZ-formulations.

Potential Residual Pesticide Consumption: A Stratified Analysis of Brazilian Families

Food safety is essential to ensure that food is safe for human consumption, particularly in light of the growing global and environmental changes, including population growth and climate variations. Meeting the increasing demand for food requires enhancing and protecting agricultural systems. A common strategy is the use of pesticides, which serve to protect cultivated plants from pests, diseases, and weeds. However, improper and excessive use of these products can lead to negative impacts, spanning economic, environmental, and human health aspects. Concerns about pesticide residues in food are global, as their effects on human health vary depending on exposure and quantity. The main objective of this study was to estimate the potential residual consumption (PRC) of pesticides present in food consumed by Brazilian households. Using a specific methodology, it was identified that pineapple had the highest average PRC (121.01 mg), primarily due to the high residue of the active ingredient ethephon. On the other hand, Dithiocarbamates showed the highest residual quantity. Tebuconazole was the most repeated in the samples. It was observed that the insecticide class was responsible for the highest average PRC in households, estimated at 142.45 mg annually, while higher-income families and those located in rural areas showed a greater propensity for potential residual pesticide consumption due to the higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, it was found that households where the head of the family is male, highly educated, and older than 40 years present a higher risk of potential residual pesticide consumption. These results highlight the need for public policies focused on sanitary inspection, the training of professionals in the field, the rational use of pesticides by producers, and proper hygiene practices by consumers to mitigate health risks.

Pesticide residues in grapes and wine: An overview on detection, health risks, and regulatory challenges

Grapes are fruits widely grown and known throughout the world, and they have significant economic and nutritional value. However, grapes are highly susceptible to attack by pests and insects, which reduces production and product quality. Pesticides are the most utilized solution for meeting global consumption demands and avoiding losses, and they can be used at any production stage. Although the benefits of using pesticides in grape production are evident, the prescribed limits must be observed to minimize their harmful effects on human health, as the accumulation of these compounds in the body over the long term can decrease life expectancy. This review of the literature intends to give a comprehensive analysis of pesticide residues in grape juice and wine, investigate analytical methodologies for pesticide detection, and set maximum residue limits (MRLs). Furthermore, the impacts of pesticide use and exposure to residues on the gut microbiota and adverse effects on human health were examined. Finally, insights into advances in detection and removal methods to mitigate the impact of pesticide residues in grape wine were presented. This review considers future perspectives in the field, including the development of safe and sustainable pesticides, with the improvement of international regulations to ensure food safety, aiming to expand pre-existing knowledge to provide more sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging global wine production. The target audience for this review includes researchers and academics, professionals in the agricultural and wine industry, regulators and government authorities, health professionals, and health and food safety-conscious consumers.

Baicalein enhances cisplatin sensitivity in cervical cancer cells by promoting cuproptosis through the Akt pathway

Resistance to cisplatin presents a major obstacle in managing advanced-stage cervical cancer. Cuproptosis, a newly identified form of cell death induced by copper ions, has potential in overcoming chemoresistance. But the application of cuproptosis in cervical cancer resistant to cisplatin has not yet been reported. In this study, treatment with Elsm-Cu in cervical cancer cells induced cuproptosis, affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis was found. Moreover, cuproptosis in cervical cancer cells was significantly induced by baicalein. The combination of baicalein and cisplatin exhibited a synergistic effect on cervical cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell viability via the induction of cuproptosis. Animal experiments demonstrated that this combination significantly suppressed tumor growth. Upon treating cells with SC79 (Akt agonist), a significant inhibition of the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins SDHB and FDX1 were observed, indicating that baicalein induced cuproptosis through the Akt pathway. These results indicated that baicalein, mediated through the Akt pathway to induce cuproptosis, had the potential to improve the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin.

Loss of glucose-stimulated β-cell Nr4a1 expression impairs insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis

A central aspect of type 2 diabetes is decreased functional β-cell mass. The orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a1 is critical for fuel utilization, but little is known regarding its regulation and function in the β-cell. Nr4a1 expression is decreased in type 2 diabetes rodent β-cells and type 2 diabetes patient islets. We have shown that Nr4a1-deficient mice have reduced β-cell mass and that Nr4a1 knockdown impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS-1 832/13 β-cells. Here, we demonstrate that glucose concentration directly regulates β-cell Nr4a1 expression. We show that 11 mM glucose increases Nr4a1 expression in INS-1 832/13 β-cells and primary mouse islets. We show that glucose functions through the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway to regulate Nr4a1 mRNA and protein expression. Using Nr4a1-/- animals, we show that Nr4a1 is necessary for GSIS and systemic glucose handling. Using RNA-seq, we define Nr4a1-regulated pathways in response to glucose in the mouse islet, including Glut2 expression. Our data suggest that Nr4a1 plays a critical role in the β-cells response to the fed state.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nr4a1 has a key role in fuel metabolism and β-cell function, but its exact role is unclear. Nr4a1 expression is regulated by glucose concentration using cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. Nr4a1 regulates Glut2, Ndufa4, Ins1, In2, Sdhb, and Idh3g expression in response to glucose treatment. These results suggest that Nr4a1 is necessary for proper insulin secretion both through glucose uptake and metabolism machinery.

Ameliorative effects of gallic acid on tebuconazole-induced adverse effects in the cerebellum of adult albino rats: histopathological and immunohistochemical evidence

Tebuconazole (TEB) is a common triazole sterol demethylation inhibitor fungicide utilized to manage a variety of diseases in crops like cereals, fruits, and vegetables. The aim of this work was to assess the effects of TEB on the structure of the cerebellum in adult albino rats and possible protective impact of co-administration of Gallic acid (GA). Four groups of forty adult male albino rats were randomly selected, and the rats in group I received corn oil through daily gavage for 4 weeks. Group II received GA dissolved in the normal saline at a dose of 100 mg/kg through daily gavage for 4 weeks, group III administered with TEB dissolved in corn oil at its acceptable daily intake dose (0.02 mg/kg body weight) through daily gavage for 4 weeks, group IV rats received both TEB and GA. For light microscopic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical investigations, cerebellar specimens were prepared. TEB exposure led to neuronal damage in the form of degenerated Purkinje cells with vacuolated cytoplasm, areas of lost Purkinje cells, the basket cells appeared vacuolated with degenerated neuropil, the granule cells clumped with congested areas between them, dilated cerebellar islands, weak positive bcl2 immunoreactions in the Purkinje cells, and numerous GFAP-positive astrocytes. GA mitigated TEB-mediated histological changes in the cerebellar cortex. We concluded that TEB caused Purkinje neurons in the rat cerebellar cortex to degenerate and undergo apoptosis. GA had a neuroprotective benefit against TEB toxicity in the rat cerebellar cortex.

Environmental endocrine disruptor-induced mitochondrial dysfunction: a potential mechanism underlying diabetes and its complications

Diabetes and its complications significantly affect individuals' quality of life. The etiology of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications is complex and not yet fully understood. There is an increasing emphasis on investigating the effects of endocrine disruptors on diabetes, as these substances can impact cellular processes, energy production, and utilization, ultimately leading to disturbances in energy homeostasis. Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular energy generation, and any impairment in these organelles can increase susceptibility to diabetes. This review examines the most recent epidemiological and pathogenic evidence concerning the link between endocrine disruptors and diabetes, including its complications. The analysis suggests that endocrine disruptor-induced mitochondrial dysfunction-characterized by disruptions in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, dysregulation of calcium ions (Ca2+), overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and initiation of signaling pathways related to mitochondrial apoptosis-may be key mechanisms connecting endocrine disruptors to the development of diabetes and its complications.

Occurrence and risk assessment of azole fungicides during the urban water cycle: A year-long study along the Yangtze River, China

Azole fungicides (AFs) play an important role in the prevention and treatment of fungal diseases in agricultural crops. However, limited studies are addressing the fate and ecological risk of AFs in the urban water cycle at a large watershed scale. To address this gap, we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution and ecological risk of twenty AFs in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River across four seasons. Carbendazim (CBA), tebuconazole (TBA), tricyclazole (TCA), and propiconazole (PPA) were found to be the dominant compounds. Their highest concentrations were measured in January (188.3 ng/L), and November (2197.1 ng/L), July (162.0 ng/L), and November (1801.9 ng/L), respectively. The comparison between wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents and surface water suggested that industrial WWTPs are major sources of AFs in the Yangtze River. In particular, TBA and PPA were found to be the most recalcitrant AFs in industrial WWTPs, while difenoconazole (DFA) was found to be the most potent pollutant in municipal WWTPs, with an average removal rate of less than 60%. The average risk quotient (RQ) for the entire AFs was 6.45 in the fall, which was higher than in January (0.98), April (0.61), and July (0.40). This indicates that AFs in surface water posed higher environmental risks during the dry season. Additionally, the exposure risk of AFs via drinking water for sensitive populations deserves more attention. This study provides benchmark data on the occurrence of AFs in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and offers suggestions for better reduction of AFs.

Tebuconazole Induces Mouse Fetal Testes Damage via ROS Generation in an Organ Culture Method

The fungicide tebuconazole (TEB) poses risks to human and animal health via various exposure routes. It induces toxicity in multiple organs and disrupts reproductive health by affecting steroid hormone synthesis and fetal development. In this study, we investigated the impact of TEB on fetal testes using in vitro models, focusing on germ, Sertoli, and Leydig cells, and explored the mechanisms underlying cellular damage. The results revealed significant damage to germ cells and disruption of Leydig cell development. TEB exposure led to a decrease in germ cell numbers, as indicated by histological and immunostaining analyses. TEB induced the up- and down-regulation of the expression of fetal and adult Leydig cell markers, respectively. Additionally, TEB-treated fetal testes exhibited increased expression of oxidative-stress-related genes and proteins. However, co-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine mitigated TEB-induced germ cell damage and prevented abnormal Leydig cell development. These findings suggest that administration of antioxidants can prevent the intratesticular damage typically caused by TEB exposure.

In vivo tebuconazole administration impairs heart electrical function and facilitates the occurrence of dobutamine-induced arrhythmias: involvement of reactive oxygen species

Tebuconazole (TEB), a widely used pesticide in agriculture to combat fungal infections, is commonly detected in global food, potable water, groundwater, and human urine samples. Despite its known in vivo toxicity, its impact on heart function remains unclear. In a 28-day study on male Wistar rats (approximately 100 g), administering 10 mg/kg/day TEB or a vehicle (control) revealed no effect on body weight gain or heart weight, but an increase in the infarct area in TEB-treated animals. Notably, TEB induced time-dependent changes in in vivo electrocardiograms, particularly prolonging the QT interval after 28 days of administration. Isolated left ventricular cardiomyocytes exposed to TEB exhibited lengthened action potentials and reduced transient outward potassium current. TEB also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in these cardiomyocytes, a phenomenon reversed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Furthermore, TEB-treated animals, when subjected to an in vivo dobutamine (Dob) and caffeine (Caf) challenge, displayed heightened susceptibility to severe arrhythmias, a phenotype prevented by NAC. In conclusion, TEB at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) dose adversely affects heart electrical function, increases arrhythmic susceptibility, partially through ROS overproduction, and this phenotype is reversible by scavenging ROS with NAC.

Accumulation and elimination properties and comparative toxicity of fluxapyroxad in juvenile and adult large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

Fluxapyroxad (FX), a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide, has been detected in global marine and aquatic organisms. However, as a new pollutant, its biotoxicity and ecological risks to marine aquatic organisms are unclear. The accumulation and elimination processes and toxic effects of FX on Larimichthys crocea (L. crocea) at environmental concentrations were assessed. FX (1.0 μg/L) was rapidly enriched and persisted prolonged in L. crocea muscle and FX is highly toxic to juvenile L. crocea with the 96 h LC50 of 245.0 μg/L. Furthermore, the toxic effects of FX on juvenile L. crocea and adults L. crocea were compared and analyzed. In contrast to those of adult L. crocea, juvenile L. crocea showed a stronger oxidative stress response and rescued liver damage in terms of antioxidant enzyme activity, energy supply, and liver damage to FX. Transcriptomic analysis also showed that drug metabolism was activated. In the adult L. crocea, the disturbance of the energy metabolism, oxidative respiration, TCA cycle, and lipid metabolism genes were firstly found. The results revealed the accumulation and elimination pattern and ecotoxicological hazards of FX to L. crocea, which provided important theoretical basis for the study of environmental risks caused by new pollutants to marine organisms.

A comprehensive review on toxicological mechanisms and transformation products of tebuconazole: Insights on pesticide management

Tebuconazole has been widely applied over three decades because of its high efficiency, low toxicity, and broad spectrum, and it is still one of the most popular fungicides worldwide. Tebuconazole residues have been frequently detected in environmental samples and food, posing potential hazards for humans. Understanding the toxicity of pesticides is crucial to ensuring human and ecosystem health, but the toxic mechanisms and toxicity of tebuconazole are still unclear. Moreover, pesticides could transform into transformation products (TPs) that may be more persistent and toxic than their parents. Herein, the toxicities of tebuconazole to humans, mammals, aquatic organisms, soil animals, amphibians, soil microorganisms, birds, honeybees, and plants were summarized, and its TPs were reviewed. In addition, the toxicity of tebuconazole TPs to aquatic organisms and mammals was predicted. Tebuconazole posed potential developmental toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity, which were induced via reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis, metabolism and hormone perturbation, DNA damage, and transcriptional abnormalities. In addition, tebuconazole exhibited apparent endocrine-disrupting effects by modulating hormone levels and gene transcription. The toxicity of some TPs was equivalent to and higher than tebuconazole. Therefore, further investigation is necessary into the toxicological mechanisms of tebuconazole and the combined toxicity of a mixture of tebuconazole and its TPs.

Triazole fungicides exert neural differentiation alteration through H3K27me3 modifications: In vitro and in silico study

Considering that humans are unavoidably exposed to triazole fungicides through the esophagus, respiratory tract, and skin contact, revealing the developmental toxicity of triazole fungicides is vital for health risk assessment. This study aimed to screen and discriminate neural developmental disorder chemicals in commonly used triazole fungicides, and explore the underlying harmful impacts on neurogenesis associated with histone modification abnormality in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). The triploblastic and neural differentiation models were constructed based on mESCs to expose six typical triazole fungicides (myclobutanil, tebuconazole, hexaconazole, propiconazole, difenoconazole, and flusilazole). The result demonstrated that although no cytotoxicity was observed, different triazole fungicides exhibited varying degrees of alterations in neural differentiation, including increased ectodermal differentiation, promoted neurogenesis, increased intracellular calcium ion levels, and disturbance of neurotransmitters. Molecular docking, cluster analysis, and multiple linear regressions demonstrated that the binding affinities between triazole fungicides and the Kdm6b-ligand binding domain were the dominant determinants of the neurodevelopmental response. This partially resulted in the reduced enrichment of H3K27me3 at the promoter region of the serotonin receptor 2 C gene, finally leading to disturbed neural differentiation. The data suggested potential adverse outcomes of triazole fungicides on embryonic neurogenesis even under sublethal doses through interfering histone modification, providing substantial evidence on the safety control of fungicides.

Enantioselectivity effects of energy metabolism in honeybees (Apis mellifera) by triticonazole

The heavy use of agrochemicals is considered a major factor contributing to the decline in wild honeybee populations. Development of low-toxicity enantiomers of chiral fungicides is the key to reducing the potential threats to honeybees. In this study, we evaluated the enantioselective toxic effects of triticonazole (TRZ) on honeybees and its molecular mechanisms. The results showed that after long-term exposure to TRZ, the content of thoracic ATP decreased significantly, by 41 % in R-TRZ treatments and by 46 % in S-TRZ treatments. Furthermore, the transcriptomic results indicated that S-TRZ and R-TRZ significantly altered the expression of 584 genes and 332 genes, respectively. Pathway analysis indicated that R- and S-TRZ could affect different genes expressed in GO terms and metabolic pathways, especially the transport GO terms (GO: 0006810) and pathways of alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, drug metabolism - cytochrome P450, and pentose phosphate. Additionally, S-TRZ had a more pronounced effect on honeybee energy metabolism, disrupting a greater number of genes involved in the TCA cycle and glycolysis/glycogenesis, exerting a stronger effect on energy metabolic pathways, including nitrogen metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation. In summary, we recommend reducing the proportion of S-TRZ in racemate to minimize the threat to the survival of honeybees and protect the diversity of economic insects.