title: Malathion-induced oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells.
abstract: Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide that is known for its high toxicity to insects and low to moderate potency to humans and other mammals. Its toxicity has been associated with the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, leading to the interference with the transmission of nerve impulse, accumulation of acetylcholine at synaptic junctions, and subsequent induction of adverse health effects including headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and miosis. Oxidative stress (OS) has been reported as a possible mechanism of malathion toxicity in humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the role of OS in malathion-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. To achieve this goal, MTT, lipid peroxidation, and single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assays were performed, respectively, to evaluate the levels of cell viability, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and DNA damage in human liver carcinoma (HepG(2)) cells. Study results indicated that malathion is mitogenic at lower levels of exposure, and cytotoxic at higher levels of exposure. Upon 48 h of exposure, the average percentages of cell viability were 100% +/- 11%, 117% +/- 15%, 86% +/- 15%, 35% +/- 9%, and 27% +/- 7% for 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 mM, respectively. In the lipid peroxidation assay, the concentrations of MDA produced were 12.55 +/- 0.16, 20.65 +/- 0.27, 31.1 +/- 0.40, 34.75 +/- 0.45, and 15.1 +/- 0.20 muM in 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 mM malathion, respectively. The Comet assay showed a significant increase in DNA damage at the 24 mM malathion exposure. Taken together, our results indicate that malathion exposure at higher concentrations induces cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in HepG(2) cells, and its toxicity may be mediated through OS as evidenced by a significant production of MDA, an end product of lipid peroxidation.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH RCMI, Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Clement G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Yedjou
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Tchounwou
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008294:Malathion / Q000633:toxicity*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D010575:Pesticides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008294:Malathion