Análisis morfométrico de los túbulos testiculares del ratón después de la administración de malation y maca / Morphometric analysis of mice testicular tubules after administration of malathion and maca

Los agropesticidas organofosforados (OF) son ampliamente usados para incrementar la producción alimentaría. Sin embargo, se ha demostrado que inducen alteraciones a nivel testicular, relacionadas con la disminución de la fertilidad tanto en humanos como en animales. Por otra parte, diferentes estudios han sido llevados a cabo para desarrollar compuestos químicos o naturales que puedan inducir un efecto antagónico sobre los OF. En estudios anteriores, un extracto de una planta de los Andes peruanos (Maca) ha sido reconocido por su acción estimulante sobre la espermatogénesis. En el presente trabajo se estudiaron los efectos de ambos agentes externos sobre el testículo. Una población de 52 ratones machos adultos de la cepa CF1 fue dividida al azar en 4 grupos (Control, Malation, Maca, Malation-Maca), con intervalos de sacrificio de 1, 7, 14 y 21 días. Para analizar el grado de alteración inducida por estos agentes, se utilizaron técnicas de histomorfometría con ayuda del programa Image tools 3.1, en secciones testiculares. Nuestros resultados muestran que la altura del epitelio aumentó al día 1 en el grupo tratado con malation, cayendo al día 7 y llegando a valores similares al control, al día 14. Sin embargo, el grupo Malation-Maca no mostró cambios significativos. El lumen tubular, disminuyó al día 7 y 14, para normalizarse al día 21 en el grupo Malation. Sin embargo, en el grupo Malation-Maca el lumen tubular sólo bajó al día 14. El diámetro tubular disminuyó a los días 7 (p < 0.01), 14 y 21 en el grupo Malation, con respecto al control (p< 0.05). Sin embargo, el grupo Malation-Maca mostró valores normales. En conclusión, es posible establecer que el daño inducido por Malation es revertido al día 21 post administración de maca.

Organophosphoric (OP) agropesticidas are amply used to increase food production. However, it has been verified that they induce alterations at testicular level related to the diminution of fertility in humans as in animals. On the other hand, different studies have been made to develop chemical or natural compounds that can induce an antagonistic effect to OP. In previous studies an extract from a plant, from the Peruvian Andes (Maca) has been recognized by its stimulating action on spermatogenesis. In the present study the effects of both external agents were evaluated on testicular sections of testis of adult male mice on a population of 52 mice CF1, divided at random in 4 groups (Control, Malathion, Maca, Malathion-Maca), with sacrifice intervals of 1,7, 14 and 21 days. By means of morphometric technique and using the "Image Tools 3,1" software, the histology of testicular sections was evaluated, to analyze the degree of alteration induced by these agents. The epithelial height mainly has a rise in day 1, for Malathion group and then fall to day 7 to be normal by day 14. However, Malathion-Maca groups show no changes. The tubular lumen decreases at day 7 and day 14 to be normal by day 21 in Malathion group. However, in Malathion - Maca group, the tubular lumen decreases only at 14 days. The tubular diameter, at day 7 (p<0.01), 14 and 21 in Malathion group decreases respect to control (p<0.05), However, Malathion-Maca groups show normal values. In conclusion, it is possible to establish that the damage induced by Malathion is reverted by 21 days post-administration of Maca.

[Determination of insecticide-resistance and resistance mechanisms of Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)]. / Determinación de la resistencia a insecticidas y mecanismos de resistencia en cepas de Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

In this paper, the level of resistance to four insecticides of 3 Blatella germanica strains collected from various places in the City of Havana province was evaluated. These strains were resistant to two pyrethroids (cypermethrin and lambda-cyalothrine) and to organophosphorate malathion but susceptible to carbamate propoxur. The values of alpha and beta esterases, acetylcholinesterase and gluthatione-S-transferase were estimated in three strains involved in the study. The results of the study showed high esterase activity in all the strains, mainly beta esterases and two of the three strains presented with high gluthation-S-transferase enzyme. No changes in acetylcholinesterase were demonstrated in relation to the reference strain. The association of levels of resistance to insecticides, the possible resistance mechanisms in each strain and the results of the enzymatic activity were also analyzed.

Bioavailability and effects of malathion in artificial sediments on Simocephalus vetulus (Cladocera: Daphniidae).

The pollution of aquatic sediments is critical to the health of aquatic ecosystems. Sediment dwelling organisms are key links in food webs that can lead toxic materials to higher level consumers, such as fish and humans. Sediments in aquatic systems can be both sink and source for inorganic and organic contaminants. The assessment of sediment contamination by laboratory bioassays is essential since it measures the toxicity and the biological response associated with specific concentrations of chemical pollutants. Furthermore, these can indicate if degradation or binding could reduce the bioavailability of chemicals, and can also set the basis for the establishment of safe concentrations.

Thiols and polyamines in the potentiation of malathion toxicity in larval stages of the toad Bufo arenarum.

Treatment with exogenous spermidine enhanced acute malathion toxicity during larval development of the toad Bufo arenarum Hensel. The polyamine was rapidly incorporated in the larvae with a subsequent metabolization to putrescine and spermine, which were excreted to the media. Endogenous polyamine levels were not changed by either spermidine or malathion treatments. However, 0.5-mM spermidine modified malathion uptake and bioavailability increasing the concentration of the xenobiotic in the larvae. The amount of reduced thiols was decreased by both compounds, but the depletion was insufficient to induce cytotoxicity. The oxidative degradation of polyamines competes for the pool of reduced glutathione used in the conjugation of malathion in the larvae, thus leading to the reported potentiation of toxicity. Our results suggest that exposure to thiols-depleting agents may induce alteration of organophosphate degradation in amphibian larvae.