Acute and chronic effects of the organophosphate malathion on the pancreatic α and β cell viability, cell structure, and voltage-gated K+ currents

• Published in: Environmental toxicology and pharmacology Vol. 98; p. 104046
• Main Authors: Martins, J.R.N, Lopes, S., Hurtado, H.N., da Silva, F.N., Villard, D.R., Taboga, S.R., Souza, K.L.A, Quesada, I., Soriano, S., Rafacho, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Survival; Endocrine disrupting chemicals; Environmental contaminants; Health concerns; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Islets of Langerhans; Malathion; Mice; Morphology; Organophosphates - pharmacology; Rats; Environmental contaminants; Islets of Langerhans; Health concerns; Morphology; Endocrine disrupting chemicals
• ISSN: 1382-6689; 1872-7077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.104046

Studies indicate that the pesticide malathion may have a role in diabetes. Herein, we determined the effects of different concentrations of malathion on survival, ultrastructure, and electrophysiologic islet cell parameters. Acutely, high concentrations of malathion (0.5 or 1 mM) increased cell death in rat islet cells, while low concentrations (0.1 mM) caused signs of cell damage in pancreatic α and β cells. Exposure of RINm5F cells to malathion for 24 or 48 h confirmed the reduction in β-cell viability at lower concentrations (0.001–100 µM). Chronic exposure of mouse pancreatic α and β cells to 3 nM of malathion led to increased voltage-gated K+ (Kv) currents in α-cells. Our findings show a time and concentration dependency for the malathion effect on the reduction of islet cell viability and indicate that pancreatic α cells are more sensitive to malathion effects on Kv currents and cell death. [Display omitted] •Malathion causes degeneration of the basement membrane in rat pancreatic islets.•Malathion exposure leads to increased cell death in rat pancreatic islets.•Malathion increases autophagy and cell death in pancreatic rat α and β cells.•Immortalized RINm5F cells exposed to malathion have reduced cell viability.•Malathion causes increased K+ currents in mouse α cells but not in β cells.