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Antioxidant and neurotoxicity markers in the model organism Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta): mechanisms of response to atrazine, dimethoate and carbendazim

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dimethoate, atrazine and carbendazim on the antioxidant defences and neuronal function of the soil organism Enchytraeus albidus. Effects were studied at concentrations known to affect their reproduction (EC20, EC50 and EC90) and along time (2, 4, 8, 14 and 21 days). In general, responses were more pronounced at periods of exposure longer than 8 days and at the highest concentrations. Multivariate statistics (RDA-PRC) clearly displayed that exposure duration had an effect itself, biomarkers’ responses showed interaction for all pesticides and catalase scored consistently high, indicating its relevancy in the group of measured markers. Univariate analysis indicated oxidative stress for all pesticides and atrazine induced oxidative damage in lipids. Atrazine seems to be effectively metabolized by GST of the biotransformation system, as its activity significantly increased after exposure to this pesticide. Dimethoate caused ChE inhibition, indicating an impairment of the neuronal function. Carbendazim impaired the antioxidant system, but no oxidative damage was observed, along with any effects on the ChE activity. The integrated biomarker response analysis was performed but we suggest modifications due to limiting artefacts.

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Acknowledgments

This study was sponsored by the funding FEDER-Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional through COMPETE-Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade, and by National funding through FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, within the Research Project FUBIA, FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-008651 (Ref. PTDC/AAC-CLI/103719/2008) and through a Postdoctoral Grant to Sara Novais (SFRH/BPD/80337/2011).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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  1. Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Sara C. Novais, Nuno C. Gomes, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares & Mónica J. B. Amorim

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  1. Sara C. Novais
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  2. Nuno C. Gomes
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  3. Amadeu M. V. M. Soares
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Correspondence to Sara C. Novais.

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Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 13 kb)

10646_2014_1265_MOESM2_ESM.tif

Fig. S1A Biomarker Star plots. Star plots representing the seven biomarkers used to calculate IBR/n index in E. albidus within: A) each pesticide (dimethoate, atrazine and carbendazim) exposed in 4 different treatments (control – CT – and the reproduction EC20, EC50 and EC90) for 2, 4, 8, 14 and 21 days Supplementary material 2 (TIFF 1690 kb)

10646_2014_1265_MOESM3_ESM.tif

Fig. S1B Biomarker Star plots. Star plots representing the seven biomarkers used to calculate IBR/n index in E. albidus within: B) each time of exposure (2, 4, 8, 14 and 21 days) to dimethoate, atrazine and carbendazim in 4 different treatments (control – CT – and the reproduction EC20, EC50 and EC90). CT refers to water control in the case of dimethoate and acetone control for atrazine and carbendazim. LPO = lipid peroxidation; ChE = cholinesterases; CAT = catalase; GST = glutathione s-transferase; GR = glutathione reductase; GPx = glutathione peroxidise; GSH = reduced form of glutathione. Supplementary material 3 (TIFF 1467 kb)

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Novais, S.C., Gomes, N.C., Soares, A.M.V.M. et al. Antioxidant and neurotoxicity markers in the model organism Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta): mechanisms of response to atrazine, dimethoate and carbendazim. Ecotoxicology 23, 1220–1233 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-014-1265-z

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