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Accumulation of pyrethroid compounds in primary cultures from rat cortex
Timothy J Shafer1, Michael F Hughes
1Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. shafer.tim@epa.gov
Summary
Pyrethroids rapidly accumulate in cultured neurons, reaching concentrations significantly higher than the surrounding medium. This study quantifies pyrethroid uptake in neurons, aiding in comparing in vivo and in vitro research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lipophilic compounds like PCBs and PBDEs accumulate in cultured cells.
- Neurons are crucial models for studying pyrethroid effects.
- Pyrethroid accumulation in neurons in vitro has not been previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time- and concentration-dependent accumulation of pyrethroids in primary neuronal cultures.
- To test the hypothesis that pyrethroids rapidly accumulate in neurons in vitro.
- To compare the accumulation of three different pyrethroids: deltamethrin, bifenthrin, and cis permethrin.
Main Methods:
- Primary cortical neuron cultures were exposed to radiolabeled pyrethroids (deltamethrin, bifenthrin, cis permethrin) at various concentrations (0.05-10 μM) and time points (0-90 min).
- Accumulation of pyrethroids within neuronal cells and in the surrounding medium was quantified.
- Uptake was measured using liquid scintillation counting after incubation.
Main Results:
- All three pyrethroids demonstrated time- and concentration-dependent accumulation in neurons.
- Pyrethroid concentrations in cells increased significantly over time, reaching 30-50 times higher than the surrounding medium after 90 minutes.
- There were no statistically significant differences in the accumulation levels among deltamethrin, bifenthrin, and cis permethrin.
Conclusions:
- Pyrethroids rapidly accumulate in primary neurons in vitro.
- The accumulation is dependent on both time and concentration.
- These findings are valuable for comparing in vivo and in vitro toxicological studies of pyrethroids.
