title: Oral exposure to the herbicide simazine induces mouse spleen immunotoxicity and immune cell apoptosis.
abstract: The authors investigated the toxic effects of simazine on mice spleen immune cells and the underlying mechanisms. Mice were given simazine at 0, 90, 200, or 400 mg/kg by gastric gavage for 3 weeks. The authors then measured immune cell proliferation and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, Fas, and caspase-3), spleen cell intracellular [Ca(2+)], cellular oxidative stress level, and immune functions. After 3 weeks, mice exposed to simazine had reduced proliferation of both spleen T and B cells. The number of spleen CD4(+) T lymphocytes decreased with simazine exposure, while CD8(+) T cells remained unchanged. Exposure to simazine resulted in reduced immune function, higher intracellular [Ca(2+)], and oxidative stress. Finally, simazine induced spleen immune cells apoptosis by reducing Bcl-2, while increasing Fas and Caspase-3 level. Overall, the immunotoxicity of simazine may involve the induction of immune cell apoptosis and alterations in the immune and physiological functions of spleen cells.
authors: Department of Hygienic Toxicology, College of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, Peoples' Republic of China.
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Ren
authors: Dian-Jun
authors: DJ
authors: Sun
authors: Hai
authors: H
authors: Yan
authors: Yan-Ping
authors: YP
authors: Wu
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006540:Herbicides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D012839:Simazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D012839:Simazine; D002118:Calcium