Subchronic hepatorenal toxicity induced by low-dose neonicotinoid pesticide imidaclothiz exposure in mice

Neonicotinoid insecticides, including imidaclothiz (IMIZ), are widely used globally. However, the subchronic hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of IMIZ remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of IMIZ on mouse liver and kidney functions through biochemical analysis, histopathology, and multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics and metabolomics). IMIZ exposure considerably elevated the levels of serum markers of liver (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase) and kidney functions (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) and disrupted lipid and glucose metabolism. Histopathological analysis revealed severe cellular damage in liver and kidney tissues. Metabolomics identified key disruptions in unsaturated fatty acid, amino acid, and purine metabolism pathways. Transcriptomics showed the association of IMIZ-induced liver injury with altered expression of genes in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway, and involvement of the p53 and FoxO pathways in kidney injury. Redundancy analysis revealed that in the liver, ECM upregulation led to Bcl-2 downregulation, which triggered metabolic disruptions (e.g., decreased levels of lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and guanosine) and liver injury. In kidneys, Sestrin2 downregulation decreased LPC, l-aspartate, and adenosine levels, which contributed to renal injury. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying IMIZ-induced hepatorenal toxicity and highlight its potential environmental health risks.