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Decoding the Liver-Blood Partitioning of Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Evidence from Paired Human Liver and Blood
Jiaqi Shao1,2, Tingna Chen3, Yihan Li3
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Conversion and Utilization, Science and Education Integration College of Energy and Carbon Neutralization, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
Toxics
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are common insecticides found in human blood and liver. Their distribution differs between tissues and may be linked to liver cancer risk, emphasizing the need for tissue-specific exposure assessment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Human Biomonitoring
Background:
- Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are widely used insecticides with increasing environmental and human detection.
- Concerns exist regarding chronic NEO exposure and potential health risks, particularly in humans.
- Limited data exists on human target-organ burdens and liver-blood partitioning of NEOs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify nine NEOs in paired human liver and blood samples.
- To characterize internal distribution patterns and liver-blood partitioning of NEOs in humans.
- To explore potential associations between NEOs, their partitioning, and liver cancer status.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of nine NEOs in 234 paired human liver and whole-blood samples.
- Analysis of NEO concentrations and calculation of blood-to-liver partition ratios (R_B/L).
- Exploratory logistic regression to assess associations with liver cancer status.
Main Results:
- NEOs were detected in 84.6% of blood and 87.2% of liver samples.
- Dinotefuran was the most abundant NEO; compositional differences were observed between blood and liver.
- Physicochemical properties influenced NEO partitioning; R_B/L was lower in liver cancer patients.
- Hepatic concentrations of specific NEOs were associated with liver cancer status.
Conclusions:
- Tissue-specific biomonitoring is crucial for accurate human NEO exposure assessment.
- Internal NEO partitioning varies by compound and disease status.
- Findings suggest potential links between certain NEOs, hepatic accumulation, and liver cancer risk.
