Trophoblast toxicity of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid and an acetamiprid-based formulation

The neonicotinoid (Neo) insecticide family is a relatively new class of pesticides of growing use. There is an increasing concern that human exposure to environmental pollutants in utero may be associated with diseases in adulthood. A functional placenta and trophoblasts are a requisite for a healthy pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Neo Acetamiprid (Ace) and one of its commercial formulations (Ace CF) display toxic features to a human first trimester trophoblast cell line. HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured in the presence of Ace or Ace CF (0.1-100 mu M) for 4 and 24 h, and changes in cell viability, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant system and macromolecule damage levels were evaluated. Ace and Ace CF are cytotoxic for HTR-8/SVneo trophoblasts. Cell viability loss and oxidative imbalance were triggered by Ace and Ace CF treatments. Impact in the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and gluthatione S-transferase activities were observed after 24 h exposure to Ace CF. Moreover, Ace CF caused oxidative damage in proteins, lipids and DNA, whereas Ace only damaged proteins. To test oxidative stress as a toxicity mechanism, cells were pre-incubated with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), prior Neo treatment. NAC protected trophoblasts from cell death and prevented oxidative damage. Results demonstrate that Ace (as active principle or CF) is cytotoxic for human trophoblasts, and oxidative stress is a toxicity mechanism. Ace CF exhibited a more toxic effect than the active principle, in an identical exposure scenario.