Exposure to deltamethrin induces oxidative stress and decreases of energy reserve in tissues of the Neotropical fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus

Abstract

Deltamethrin (DTM) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide highly used by farmers and home users. This pesticide has lipophilic properties that facilitate a high absorption and can cause toxicity in non-target organisms. During foraging, the fruit-eating bats Artibeus lituratus are exposed to pesticides. However, the knowledge of the toxicity of pesticides on the physiology of bats is relatively scarce. This study aimed to check the toxicity of short-term exposure to low concentration of DTM on fruit-eating bat A. lituratus. After seven days of exposure to two doses of DTM (0.02 and 0.04mg/kg of papaya), the fruit bats showed an increase in the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and hyperglycemia. The liver and pectoral muscle presented oxidative stress. In the liver, the hydrogen peroxide (HO) and nitric oxide (NO) were increased as well as the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) but in a lesser extent. Yet, total lipids were increased while hepatic glycogen content is reduced. The pectoral muscle showed NO, SOD, CAT, malondialdehyde (MDA), and carbonyl increased protein levels in both concentrations of DTM. All these results show that low doses of DTM can cause hepatic and muscular toxicity and induce changes in carbohydrate metabolism. Physiological changes caused by exposure to DTM in bats may have direct consequences in flight capacity, reproduction, and metabolism of these animals.

Biochemical Effects of Deltamethrin on Inflammatory Markers and Iron Homeostasis

“…Deltamethrin (DTM) is a synthetic type II pyrethroid insecticide highly used by farmers and home users. This pesticide has lipophilic properties that facilitate a high absorption and can cause toxicity in nontarget organisms (Oliveiraa et al, 2018). Insecticide holds a unique position among environmental contaminants being present in the environment in such small quantities as compared to other contaminants such as industrial wastes and fertilizers.…”

Catechin Attenuates the Effect of Combined Arsenic and Deltamethrin Toxicity by Abrogation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Wistar Rats

“…In this study, co-exposure to As and DM resulted in the inhibition of all the antioxidant enzyme activities measured except in the testis, where the toxicants caused an increase in CAT activity. Inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activity has been reported following exposure of animals to either As or DM [33][34][35][36]. The observed decrease in SOD, CAT and GPx activities may be due to oxidative inactivation of the proteins arising through the damaging effect of free radicals generated by both As and DM.…”

Glucose as a Major Antioxidant: When, What for and Why It Fails?

“…Moreover, excessive accumulation of glycogen from a high-glucose diet and with impaired glycogen degradation resulted in decreased lifespan of the worms [50]. Insecticide poisonings causing oxidative stress in the fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus causes glycogen stores depletion [51]. It was recently shown that hawkmoths, who have one of the highest metabolic rates among known animals, use nectar sugar directed through PPP to counteract oxidative damage resulting from flight [52].…”