Cellular uptake of paraquat determines subsequent toxicity including mitochondrial damage in lung epithelial cells

Paraquat-Induced Toxicities: Epidemiological Insights and Advances in Colorimetric and Fluorimetric Detection Methods

Paraquat (PQ) is a potent and widely utilized herbicide known for its effectiveness in controlling a broad spectrum of weeds. Its chemical properties make it an invaluable tool in agriculture, where it helps maintain crop yields and manage invasive plant species. However, despite its benefits in weed management, PQ poses significant risks due to its severe toxicity, which affects multiple organ systems in both humans and animals. The dual nature of PQ, as both a valuable agricultural chemical and a hazardous toxicant, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its toxicological impacts and the development of effective detection and development strategies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of PQ-induced toxicities, including neurotoxicity, lung toxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and immunotoxicity. By synthesizing current knowledge on PQ health impacts, highlighting epidemiological trends, and exploring recent advancements in colorimetric and fluorimetric detection methods, this review seeks to contribute to the development of strategies for improving public health outcomes and enhancing our ability to manage the risks associated with PQ exposure. Addressing PQ toxicity through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating toxicological, epidemiological, and technological perspectives, is essential for safeguarding health and promoting effective interventions.

Enhanced glutathione levels confer resistance to apoptotic and ferroptotic programmed cell death in NEIL DNA glycosylase deficient HAP1 cells

The NTHL1 and NEIL1-3 DNA glycosylases are major enzymes in the removal of oxidative DNA base lesions, via the base excision repair (BER) pathway. It is expected that lack of these DNA glycosylases activities would render cells vulnerable to oxidative stress, promoting cell death. Intriguingly, we found that single, double, triple, and quadruple DNA glycosylase knockout HAP1 cells are, however, more resistant to oxidative stress caused by genotoxic agents than wild type cells. Furthermore, glutathione depletion in NEIL deficient cells further enhances resistance to cell death induced via apoptosis and ferroptosis. Finally, we observed higher basal level of glutathione and differential expression of NRF2-regulated genes associated with glutathione homeostasis in the NEIL triple KO cells. We propose that lack of NEIL DNA glycosylases causes aberrant transcription and subsequent errors in protein synthesis. This leads to increased endoplasmic reticulum stress and proteotoxic stress. To counteract the elevated intracellular stress, an adaptive response mediated by increased glutathione basal levels, rises in these cells. This study reveals an unforeseen role of NEIL glycosylases in regulation of resistance to oxidative stress, suggesting that modulation of NEIL glycosylase activities is a potential approach to improve the efficacy of e.g. anti-inflammatory therapies.

Quantitative assessment of mitochondrial morphology relevant for studies on cellular health and environmental toxicity

Mitochondria are essential organelles that play crucial roles in cellular energy metabolism, calcium signaling and apoptosis. Their importance in tissue homeostasis and stress responses, combined to their ability to transition between various structural and functional states, make them excellent organelles for monitoring cellular health. Quantitative assessment of mitochondrial morphology can therefore provide valuable insights into environmentally-induced cell damage. High-content screening (HCS) provides a powerful tool for analyzing organelles and cellular substructures. We developed a fully automated and miniaturized HCS wet-plus-dry pipeline (MITOMATICS) exploiting mitochondrial morphology as a marker for monitoring cellular health or damage. MITOMATICS uses an in-house, proprietary software (MitoRadar) to enable fast, exhaustive and cost-effective analysis of mitochondrial morphology and its inherent diversity in live cells. We applied our pipeline and big data analytics software to assess the mitotoxicity of selected chemicals, using the mitochondrial uncoupler CCCP as an internal control. Six different pesticides (inhibiting complexes I, II and III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) were tested as individual compounds and five other pesticides present locally in Occitanie (Southern France) were assessed in combination to determine acute mitotoxicity. Our results show that the assayed pesticides exhibit specific signatures when used as single compounds or chemical mixtures and that they function synergistically to impact mitochondrial architecture. Study of environment-induced mitochondrial damage has the potential to open new fields in mechanistic toxicology, currently underexplored by regulatory toxicology and exposome research. Such exploration could inform health policy guidelines and foster pharmacological intervention, water, air and soil pollution control and food safety.

Predicting acute paraquat toxicity using physiologically based kinetic modelling incorporating in vitro active renal excretion via the OCT2 transporter

Including active renal excretion in physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models can improve their use in quantitative in vitro- in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE) as a new approach methodology (NAM) for predicting the acute toxicity of organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) substrates like paraquat (PQ). To realise this NAM, kinetic parameters Vmax and Km for in vitro OCT2 transport of PQ were obtained from the literature. Appropriate scaling factors were applied to translate the in vitro Vmax to an in vivo Vmax. in vitro cytotoxicity data were defined in the rat RLE-6TN and L2 cell lines and the human A549 cell line. The developed PQ PBK model was used to apply reverse dosimetry for QIVIVE translating the in vitro cytotoxicity concentration-response curves to predicted in vivo toxicity dose-response curves after which the lower and upper bound benchmark dose (BMD) for 50% lethality (BMDL50 and BMDU50) were derived by applying BMD analysis. Comparing the predictions to the in vivo reported LD50 values resulted in a conservative prediction for rat and a comparable prediction for human showing proof of principle on the inclusion of active renal excretion and prediction of PQ acute toxicity for the developed NAM.

Protective effect of plant compounds in pesticides toxicity

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between pesticide exposure and the occurrence of many chronic diseases, including cancer, is confirmed by literature data.

METHODS

In this review, through the analysis of more than 70 papers, we explore an increase in oxidative stress level caused by exposure to environmental pollutants and the protective effects of plant-origin antioxidants.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

One of the molecular mechanisms, by which pesticides affect living organisms is the induction of oxidative stress. However, recently many plant-based dietary ingredients with antioxidant properties have been considered as a chemopreventive substances due to their ability to remove free radicals. Such a food component must meet several conditions: eliminate free radicals, be easily absorbed and function at an appropriate physiological level. Its main function is to maintain the redox balance and minimize the cellular damage caused by ROS. Therefore, it should be active in aqueous solutions and membrane domains. These properties are characteristic for phenolic compounds and selected plant hormones. Phenolic compounds have proven antioxidant properties, while increasing number of compounds from the group of plant hormones with a very diverse chemical structure turn out to act as antioxidants, being potential food ingredients that can eliminate negative effects of pesticides.

Role of Lung P450 Oxidoreductase in Paraquat-Induced Collagen Deposition in the Lung

Paraquat (PQ) is an agrochemical known to cause pulmonary fibrosis. PQ-induced collagen deposition in the lung is thought to require enzymatic formation of PQ radicals, but the specific enzymes responsible for this bioactivation event in vivo have not been identified. We tested the hypothesis that lung P450 oxidoreductase (POR or CPR) is important in PQ-induced lung fibrosis in mice. A lung-Cpr-null mouse model was utilized, which undergoes doxycycline-induced, Cre recombinase-mediated deletion of the Por gene specifically in airway Club cells and alveolar type 2 cells in the lung. The lungs of lung-Cpr-null mice and their wild-type littermates were collected on day 15 after a single intraperitoneal injection of saline (control) or PQ (20 mg/kg). Lung tissue sections were stained with picrosirius red for detection of collagen fibrils. Fibrotic lung areas were found to be significantly smaller (1.6-fold for males and 1.4-fold for females) in PQ-treated lung-Cpr-null mice than in sex- and treatment-matched wild-type mice. The levels of collagen in lung tissue homogenate were also lower (1.4-2.3-fold; p < 0.05) in PQ-treated lung-Cpr-null mice compared to PQ-treated wild-type mice. In contrast, plasma PQ toxicokinetic profiles were not different between sex-matched wild-type and lung-Cpr-null mice. Taken together, these results indicate that lung POR plays an important role in PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Immediate and late systemic and lung effects of inhaled paraquat in rats

The immediate and the late effects of inhaled Paraquat (PQ) on systemic and lung inflammation and oxidative stress were investigated. Rats were exposed to saline (control group) and two doses of inhaled PQ (27 and 54 mg/m3) and studied variables were measured: 1) one day after the end of PQ exposure as "immediate condition", 2) 16 days after the end of PQ exposure as "late condition". Total and differential white blood cells (WBC) counts, lipid peroxidation and nitrite were increased but thiol, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the blood and BALF as well as methacholine EC50 was reduced in both conditions in the animals exposed to PQ compared to control groups (p < 0. 05 to p < 0.001). Most studied parameters in the immediate condition were significantly higher than the late condition (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Systemic and lung inflammation and oxidative stress due to inhaled PQ in both the immediate and the late conditions were shown. Although most measured parameters in the immediate condition were higher, all variables were significantly different with the control group even in late condition, indicating a long-term effect of inhaled PQ toxicity, which may help in a more effective treatment of PQ poising in the future.

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis associated with acute transoral paraquat poisoning: Clinical study of 15 cases

To analyze the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of transoral paraquat poisoning combined with Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS). A retrospective observational study was conducted on paraquat poisoning patients between January 1, 2011 and August 30, 2016 in Qilu hospital. Fifteen patients with EDS were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics, prognosis, and pathological features of esophageal necrosis mucosa of these patients were retrospectively analyzed and summarized. Esophageal mucosal dissection occurs mainly within 3-8 days after transoral paraquat poisoning in 15 patients. Dosage of paraquat is range from 50 to 100 ml. Most patients have physical problems with swallowing before the intramural esophageal dissection occurred. And there are other symptoms, including sore throat or dysphagia (100%), nausea and vomiting (86.7%), heartburn or upper abdominal pain (73.3%), hematemesis (60%), abdominal distension (20%) and cough frequently (6.7%). In death group, most patients demonstrate features of the multiple organ failure when the esophageal mucosal stripping happened, including lung injury, renal failure, and hepatic failure. The shape of esophageal dissection was tubular in 60%, irregular in 40%, and they vary in size. Pathological examination showed extensive injury, necrosis and hemorrhage of digestive tract epithelium, and obvious inflammatory reaction of epithelial tissue. Transoral paraquat poisoning has certain damage to the patient's esophageal mucosa, and some may be complicated with EDS, and the prognosis is poor, especially when combined with multiple organ dysfunction. Esophageal damage is mainly located in the esophageal mucosa and have different degrees. Special attention should be paid on such patients.

Combined signaling of NF-kappaB and IL-17 contributes to Mesenchymal stem cells-mediated protection for Paraquat-induced acute lung injury

BACKGROUND

Paraquat (PQ) is an herbicide widely used in the world. PQ can cause pulmonary toxicity and even acute lung injury. Treatment for PQ poisoning in a timely manner is still a challenge for clinicians. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has hold potentials for the treatment of several lung diseases including PQ poisoning. The aim of this study is to examine the mechanisms mediated by MSC transplantation to protect PQ-induced lung injury.

METHODS

Here we performed the whole genome sequencing and compared the genes and pathways in the lung that were altered by PQ or PQ together with MSC treatment.

RESULTS

The comparison in transcriptome identified a combined mitigation in NF-kappaB signaling and IL-17 signaling in MSC transplanted samples.

CONCLUSION

This study not only reiterates the important role of NF-kappaB signaling and IL-17 signaling in the pathogenesis of PQ-induced toxicity, but also provides insight into a molecular basis of MSC administration for the treatment of PQ-induced toxicity.

Cyclosporine attenuates Paraquat-induced mitophagy and pulmonary fibrosis

Objectives: Paraquat (PQ) poisoning can induce mitophagy and pulmonary fibrosis. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an inhibitor of mitophagy. This study aimed at investigating whether CsA could inhibit PQ-induced mitophagy and pulmonary fibrosis in rats.Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with vehicle saline (control), 50 mg/kg PQ by gavage alone, or together with different doses of CsA. At 14 days post-induction, the levels of pulmonary fibrosis and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin expression in individual rats and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in lung cells were measured. Moreover, A549 cells were treated with PQ or PQ + CsA for 24 h and the levels of PINK1, Parkin, fibronectin, collagen I and LC3 I and II expression and MMP were examined. Finally, the impact of PINK1 overexpression on the PQ or PQ + CsA-modulated fibronectin and collagen I expression in A549 cells was tested.Results: PQ exposure significantly increased the levels of hydroxyproline and collagen I expression and collagen fiber accumulation in the lung of rats, which were mitigated by CsA treatment. Furthermore, treatment with CsA significantly improved the PQ-decreased MMP and abrogated PQ-upregulated PINK1 and Parkin expression in the lungs of rats. In addition, CsA treatment decreased the PQ-induced fibrosis and mitophagy and PQ-impaired MMP as well as PQ-upregulated PINK1 and Parkin expression in A549 cells. The later effect of CsA was abrogated by PINK1 overexpression in A549 cells.Conclusions: Therefore, CsA can inhibit the PQ-induced mitophagy and pulmonary fibrosis by attenuating the PINK1/Parkin signaling.

Polyphenols and Metabolites Enhance Survival in Rodents and Nematodes-Impact of Mitochondria

(1) Background: Polyphenols (PP) play an important role in the prevention of non-communicable diseases and may contribute to healthy aging. To investigate the molecular and cellular aspects of PP metabolites on longevity with a focus on mitochondrial function, we applied a pre-fermented mixture of polyphenols (Rechtsregulat®, RR) to rodents and nematodes. (2) Methods: The lifespans of Navar Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice and C. elegans were recorded. The heat-stress resistance (37 °C) of C. elegans N2 was measured using nucleic staining. Respiration and membrane potential (ΔΨm) were measured in isolated mitochondria. The energetic metabolites adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactate, and pyruvate were determined in lysates. Expression levels of longevity related genes were determined using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Phenolic compounds were identified using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-Iontrap-multiple stage mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-Iontrap-MSn). (3) Results: Several phenolic metabolites including protocatechuic acid (PCA) were identified in RR. Feeding of mice with RR resulted in a significantly increased lifespan. Heat-stress resistance (RR *** p = 0.0006; PCA **** p < 0.0001), median lifespan (NMRI: RR ** p = 0.0035; C. elegans RR * p = 0.0279; PCA **** p < 0.0001), and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes (RR *-** p = 0.0237 - 0.0052; PCA * p = 0.019 - 0.0208) of C. elegans were significantly increased after incubation with RR (10%) or PCA (780 µM). PCA significantly improved nematodes ΔΨm (* p = 0.02058) and ATP levels (* p = 0.029). RR significantly up-regulated lactate levels, indicating enhanced glycolysis. The expression levels of longevity related genes daf-16, sir-2.1, and skn-1 were significantly upregulated after PCA, and partially after RR administration. (4) Conclusion: Phenolic metabolites such as PCA have the potential to enhance health and lifespan and mitochondrial function, and thus may contribute to healthy aging.

Ameliorative role of aspirin in paraquat-induced lung toxicity via mitochondrial mechanisms

Paraquat (PQ) has accounted for numerous suicide attempts in developing countries. Aspirin (ASA) as an adjuvant treatment in PQ poisoning has an ameliorative role. And, it's uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation role has been well established. The current study aimed at examining the aspirin mechanism on lung mitochondria of rats exposed to PQ. Male rats were randomly allocated in five groups: Control group, PQ group (50 mg/kg; orally, only on the first day), and PQ + ASA (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg; i.p.) groups for 3 weeks. Mitochondrial indices and respiratory chain-complex activities were determined. PQ induced lung interstitial fibrosis; however, ASA (400 mg/kg) led to decrease in this abnormal alteration. In comparison with PQ group, complex II and IV activity, and adenosine triphosphate content in ASA groups had significantly increased; however, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and mitochondrial swelling were significantly reduced. In conclusion, aspirin can alleviate lung injury induced by PQ poisoning by improving mitochondrial dynamics.

Possible involvement of transcriptional activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the protective effect of caffeic acid on paraquat-induced oxidative damage in Drosophila melanogaster

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used herbicide with no antidote which is implicated in the pathogenesis of the Parkinson's disease. The present study then investigated the potential of caffeic acid (CA), a known antioxidant, cardioprotective and neuroprotective molecule to counteract oxidative stress mediated by PQ. In addition, molecular docking was performed to understand the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of CA against PQ poisoning. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, was exposed to PQ (0.44 mg/g of diet) in the absence or presence of CA (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/g of died) for 7 days. Data showed that PQ-fed flies had higher incidence of mortality which was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, increased free Fe(II) content and lipid peroxidation when compared to the control. Co-exposure with CA reduced mortality and markedly attenuated biochemical changes induced by PQ. The mechanism investigated using molecular docking revealed a strong interaction (-6.2 Kcal/mol) of CA with D. melanogaster transcriptional activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This was characterized by the binding of CA to keap-1 domain of Nrf2. Taking together these results indicate the protective effect of CA against PQ-induced oxidative damage in D. melanogaster was likely through its coordination which hinders Nrf2-keap-1 binding leading to an increase of the antioxidant defense system.