Investigating the Acute Metabolic Effects of the N-Methyl Carbamate Insecticide, Methomyl, on Mouse Liver

Many pesticides have been identified as endocrine and metabolism-disrupting chemicals with hepatotoxic effects. However, data are limited for insecticides in the n-methyl carbamate class, including methomyl. Here, we investigate the liver and systemic metabolic effects of methomyl in a mouse model. We hypothesize that methomyl exposure will disrupt xenobiotic and intermediary metabolism and promote hepatic steatosis in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed daily to 0–5 mg/kg methomyl for 18 days. Mice were fed water and regular chow diet ad libitum. Metabolic phenotyping was performed, and tissue samples were collected. Effects were generally greatest at the highest methomyl dose, which induced Cyp1a2. Methomyl decreased whole body weight while the liver:body weight and testes:body weight ratios were increased. Hepatic steatosis increased while plasma LDL decreased. Fasting blood glucose and the glucose tolerance test area under the curve decreased along with hepatic glycogen stores. Methomyl, however, did not increase liver oxidative stress or injury. Collectively, these data demonstrate that methomyl disrupts hepatic xenobiotic and intermediary metabolism while increasing the testes:body weight ratio, suggesting that it may be an endocrine disrupting chemical. Besides methomyl’s known action in cholinesterase inhibition, it may be involved in aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation. The potential impact of n-methyl carbamate insecticides on metabolic health and diseases, including toxicant-associated steatotic liver disease (TASLD), warrants further investigation

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Not AvailableDioxin-like molecules have been associated with endocrine disruption and liver disease. To better understand aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) biology, metabolic phenotyping and liver proteomics were performed in mice following ligand-activation or whole-body genetic ablation of this receptor. Male wild type (WT) and Ahr–/– mice (Taconic) were fed a control diet and exposed to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) (61 nmol/kg by gavage) or vehicle for two weeks. PCB126 increased expression of canonical AHR targets (Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2) in WT but not Ahr–/–. Knockouts had increased adiposity with decreased glucose tolerance; smaller livers with increased steatosis and perilipin-2; and paradoxically decreased blood lipids. PCB126 was associated with increased hepatic triglycerides in Ahr–/–. The liver proteome was impacted more so by Ahr–/– genotype than ligand-activation, but top gene ontology (GO) processes were similar. The PCB126-associated liver proteome was Ahr-dependent. Ahr principally regulated liver metabolism (e.g., lipids, xenobiotics, organic acids) and bioenergetics, but it also impacted liver endocrine response (e.g., the insulin receptor) and function, including the production of steroids, hepatokines, and pheromone binding proteins. These effects could have been indirectly mediated by interacting transcription factors or microRNAs. The biologic roles of the AHR and its ligands warrant more research in liver metabolic health and disease.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableErysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen of porcine origin. It can cause systemic bacterial infection leading to erysipelas on skin, arthritis, endocarditis in both pigs and human beings. The state of Meghalaya had recorded few zoonotic diseases viz., Brucellosis, Scrub typhus, Japanese encephalitis, Bird flu, Salmonellosis, Listeriosis, Colibacillosis, Swine erysipelas etc. The state had earlier reported laboratory confirmed outbreak of E. rhusiopathiae in the year 2012, which was followed by a pilot scale sero-prevalence study in pigs in two representative districts of Meghalaya. However, during 2018-19 a systematic sero-survey was carried out for this important zoonotic disease in swine population of Meghalaya. In the present study, a total of 515 random serum samples were collected across Meghalaya which were screened for porcine E. rhusiopathiae with reputed commercial indirect ELISA kits and the screening result showed a sero-prevalence of 0.97%. The presence of this zoonotic pathogen warrants attention from not only the veterinary department in term of disease reporting, prevention and control but also from the medical fraternity to report human cases from the state.Not Availabl

Seroepidemological investigation of Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in Northeastern India.

Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. are critical tissue-dwelling foodborne zoonotic parasites associated with pork consumption and pig rearing. Despite being a major pig-rearing region in the country, Northeastern India has not undergone any investigation regarding the presence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs. Therefore, this study aims to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. and identify associated risk factors in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in the northeastern region of India. In a cross-sectional serological survey, 400 pigs from 400 households across five northeastern states of India underwent testing for the seroprevalence of porcine toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis. Serum samples (80 from each state) were analyzed using commercially available ELISA assays. Data on backyard farm characteristics and various management aspects were collected, and risk factors linked with prevalence were analyzed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The findings revealed that the apparent and true prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies were 45% (40.12-49.88, 95% CI) and 45.7% (40.7-50.69, 95% CI), respectively. As for anti- Trichinella antibodies, both the apparent and true prevalence were 0.75% (-0.1-1.6, 95% CI). The univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that age above 24 months (OR 7.20, 95% CI 2.45-23.71), exposure to cats (OR = 5.87, 95% CI 2.55-14.05), and farms operating for breeding purposes (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 3.01-11.04) were significant risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii. This study marks the initial documentation of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities in Northeastern India. The results emphasize the significance of these parasites as foodborne zoonotic threats in the region, potentially posing substantial public health risks, especially within tribal and rural communities. The insights derived from this research could be valuable in formulating targeted preventive and control strategies against T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs, not only in this region but also in areas with similar rearing practices

Multivariate logistic regression model for the analysis of risk factors associated with <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> infection in pigs.

Multivariate logistic regression model for the analysis of risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in pigs.</p

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Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. are critical tissue-dwelling foodborne zoonotic parasites associated with pork consumption and pig rearing. Despite being a major pig-rearing region in the country, Northeastern India has not undergone any investigation regarding the presence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs. Therefore, this study aims to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. and identify associated risk factors in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in the northeastern region of India. In a cross-sectional serological survey, 400 pigs from 400 households across five northeastern states of India underwent testing for the seroprevalence of porcine toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis. Serum samples (80 from each state) were analyzed using commercially available ELISA assays. Data on backyard farm characteristics and various management aspects were collected, and risk factors linked with prevalence were analyzed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The findings revealed that the apparent and true prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies were 45% (40.12–49.88, 95% CI) and 45.7% (40.7–50.69, 95% CI), respectively. As for anti- Trichinella antibodies, both the apparent and true prevalence were 0.75% (-0.1–1.6, 95% CI). The univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that age above 24 months (OR 7.20, 95% CI 2.45–23.71), exposure to cats (OR = 5.87, 95% CI 2.55–14.05), and farms operating for breeding purposes (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 3.01–11.04) were significant risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii. This study marks the initial documentation of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities in Northeastern India. The results emphasize the significance of these parasites as foodborne zoonotic threats in the region, potentially posing substantial public health risks, especially within tribal and rural communities. The insights derived from this research could be valuable in formulating targeted preventive and control strategies against T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs, not only in this region but also in areas with similar rearing practices.</div

Univariate analysis of associated risk factors for seropositivity of anti-<i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> antibodies.

Univariate analysis of associated risk factors for seropositivity of anti-T. gondii antibodies.</p

S1 Data -

Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. are critical tissue-dwelling foodborne zoonotic parasites associated with pork consumption and pig rearing. Despite being a major pig-rearing region in the country, Northeastern India has not undergone any investigation regarding the presence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs. Therefore, this study aims to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. and identify associated risk factors in pigs reared by tribal communities and small-holder livestock farmers in the northeastern region of India. In a cross-sectional serological survey, 400 pigs from 400 households across five northeastern states of India underwent testing for the seroprevalence of porcine toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis. Serum samples (80 from each state) were analyzed using commercially available ELISA assays. Data on backyard farm characteristics and various management aspects were collected, and risk factors linked with prevalence were analyzed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The findings revealed that the apparent and true prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies were 45% (40.12–49.88, 95% CI) and 45.7% (40.7–50.69, 95% CI), respectively. As for anti- Trichinella antibodies, both the apparent and true prevalence were 0.75% (-0.1–1.6, 95% CI). The univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that age above 24 months (OR 7.20, 95% CI 2.45–23.71), exposure to cats (OR = 5.87, 95% CI 2.55–14.05), and farms operating for breeding purposes (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 3.01–11.04) were significant risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii. This study marks the initial documentation of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs reared by tribal communities in Northeastern India. The results emphasize the significance of these parasites as foodborne zoonotic threats in the region, potentially posing substantial public health risks, especially within tribal and rural communities. The insights derived from this research could be valuable in formulating targeted preventive and control strategies against T. gondii and Trichinella spp. in pigs, not only in this region but also in areas with similar rearing practices.</div