Trifluralin toxicity in a Chagas disease mouse model

The Apoptotic and Anti-apoptotic Effects of Pendimethalin and Trifluralin on A549 Cells In Vitro

Objectives

Pendimethalin and trifluralin are commonly used in many countries to control broadleaf weeds and grassy weed species because of their inhibitor effects on growth and cell division. In this study, we examined the apoptotic and anti-apoptotic potentials of pendimethalin and trifluralin on A549 human non-small lung cancer cells with several concentrations in vitro.

Materials and Methods

The expression levels of apoptosis-related genes BCL-2, BAX, CAS3, CAS9, P53, BIRC, and PPIA were examined using quantitative RT-PCR after 24 h treatment of 1, 10, 50, 100 and 500 μM pendimethalin and trifluralin.

Results

The effects of pendimethalin were found more repressive than trifluralin on all studied concentrations. Twenty-four hours' exposure with 100 μM pendimethalin and trifluralin altered the gene expressions, suppressing apoptosis and allowing cancer cells to grow and proliferate.

Conclusion

Care should be taken not to exceed the permissible values and residue limits in food during pendimethalin and trifluralin use in order to reduce the possible carcinogenic effects on humans.

Persistence and behavior of pesticides in cotton production in Turkish soils

Turkey is the sixth largest producer of cotton in the world. Two of the most commonly applied pesticides used in cotton production are trifluralin and endosulfan. Although both are very effective at controlling pests, their persistence in the environment poses risks to human health and the environment. Four loam soils and one silty-loam soil were studied to evaluate the persistence of trifluralin and endosulfan in relation to soil characteristics. Degradation with trifluralin reached as high as 70% of the applied doses. Soils with the highest organic matter content had the lowest degradation rate, indicating a tighter sorption of trifluralin. Endosulfan degradation was a function of soil type and the specific isomer, with beta-endosulfan depicting the highest degradation.