Acute thiamethoxam exposure induces hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity in juvenile Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 249; p. 114399
• Main Authors: Yang, Yiwen, Yu, Qiuran, Zhang, Cong, Wang, Xiaodan, He, Long, Huang, Yuxing, Li, Erchao, Qin, Jianguang, Chen, Liqiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.01.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Crustacean; Detoxification; Neonicotinoid pesticides; Oxidative stress; Synaptic transmission; Toxicity; Neonicotinoid pesticides; Oxidative stress; Synaptic transmission; Toxicity; Crustacean; Detoxification
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114399

The similar nervous system structure between crustaceans and insects and the high-water solubility of thiamethoxam can lead to the more severe toxicity of thiamethoxam to crustaceans. However, the effects of thiamethoxam on crustaceans are unclear. Therefore, a 96-h acute toxicity test was performed to explore the hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity effects of thiamethoxam on Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) at concentrations 0 µg/L, 150 µg/L and 300 µg/L. The antioxidant and detoxification systems (including phases I and II) were significantly activated after exposure of juvenile crabs to thiamethoxam for 24 h in 300 µg/L group, whereas the toxic activation effect in 150 μg/L group was delayed. Moreover, a similar pattern was observed for the transcription levels of immune-related genes. Further analysis of inflammatory signaling pathway-related genes showed that thiamethoxam exposure with 300 µg/L for 24 h may induce a pro-inflammatory response through the NF-κB pathway. In contrast, the gene expression levels in 150 µg/L group were significantly upregulated compared with 0 µg/L group after 96 h. In addition, although the acute exposure of 150 μg/L thiamethoxam did not seem to induce significant neurotoxicity, the acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly decreased in 300 μg/L group after thiamethoxam exposure for 96 h. Correspondingly, thiamethoxam exposure with 300 µg/L for 24 h resulted in significantly downregulated transcriptional levels of synaptic transmission-related genes (e.g. dopamine-, gamma-aminobutyric acid- and serotonin-related receptors). Therefore, thiamethoxam may be harmful and cause potential toxic threats such as neurotoxicity and metabolic damage to crustaceans. [Display omitted] •Thiamethoxam induced oxidative stress in E. sinensis.•Detoxification system played a positive role against thiamethoxam exposure.•Thiamethoxam can induce immune-inflammatory response in E. sinensis.•Thiamethoxam inhibited synaptic transmission and acetylcholinesterase activity.