Bifenthrin inhibits neurite outgrowth in differentiating PC12 cells.
BACKGROUND
Bifenthrin is a third generation member of the synthetic pyrethroid family of insecticides. As a new pesticide within a relatively new class of pesticides, bifenthrin is considered relatively safe. Here, we used the PC12 neuronal cell line to examine the effect of bifenthrin on the formation of neurites and the potential developmental neurotoxicity of this pesticide.


METHODS
PC12 cells were exposed to varying concentrations of technical grade bifenthrin or Ortho Home Defense. Cell viability was determined using the AlmarBlue Toxicity Assay. Nontoxic concentrations of these chemicals were concomitantly with nerve growth factor and neurite outgrowth was assessed.


RESULTS
Ortho Home Defense preparation reduced PC12 cell viability by approximately 50% and 70% at dilutions that correlate to bifenthrin concentrations of 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M, respectively. In contrast, technical grade bifenthrin, was not toxic to PC12 cells at 10(-3) M, which was the highest concentration tested that was soluble. At "nontoxic" concentrations of 10(-7) M and 10(-6) M, the Ortho Home Defense inhibited nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth by 30% and 55% respectively. Furthermore the nontoxic concentrations of technical grade bifenthrin of 10(-6) M and 10(-3) M inhibited neurite outgrowth by approximately 35% and 75% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the toxicity of the Ortho Home Defense preparation was due to the "inert" additives in the preparation and not the bifenthrin itself. Further, these data suggest that, even in the absence of overt toxicity, bifenthrin may have deleterious effects to developing nervous system.
Tran
Van
V
Department of Biology, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, USA.
Hoffman
Natalie
N
Mofunanaya
Adaobi
A
Pryor
Stephen C
SC
Ojugbele
Olutosin
O
McLaughlin
Ashlea
A
Gibson
Lydia
L
Bonventre
Josephine A
JA
Flynn
Katherine
K
Weeks
Benjamin S
BS
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D016716:PC12 Cells; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats
D007306:Insecticides; D009498:Neurotoxins; D011722:Pyrethrins; C099952:bifenthrin