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Pubertal Exposure to Lambda-Cyhalothrin Disrupts Adrenal Steroidogenesis via Downregulation of AGTR1A/CYP11B2 and

Wanwan Chen1,2, Xin Liu3, Hang Lin4

  • 1Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang325000, China.

Chemical Research in Toxicology
|May 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) exposure during rat puberty impairs adrenal function by reducing key steroid hormones. This pesticide disrupts hormone production and promotes adrenal cell death, impacting endocrine development.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pyrethroids, like Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), are common agricultural pesticides.
  • The impact of LCT on adrenal gland function, particularly during puberty, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of LCT exposure on adrenal steroidogenesis and endocrine function in male rats during puberty.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying LCT-induced adrenal impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to varying doses of LCT (0.25-1 mg/kg) during the pubertal period (postnatal days 28-58).
  • Serum hormone levels (aldosterone, corticosterone, ACTH), adrenal histology, gene and protein expression (Agtr1a, Cyp11b2, Igf1), and steroid production in H295R cells were analyzed.
  • Apoptosis markers (CASP3, BCL-2), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were assessed in H295R cells.

Main Results:

  • LCT exposure significantly reduced serum aldosterone and corticosterone levels without affecting ACTH.
  • Histological analysis showed reduced zona fasciculata thickness, and molecular analysis revealed downregulation of Agtr1a, Cyp11b2, and Igf1.
  • In vitro, LCT suppressed aldosterone and cortisol secretion, downregulated AGTR1A and CYP11B2, and induced apoptosis in H295R cells via ROS- and MMP-independent pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Lambda-cyhalothrin exposure during puberty impairs adrenal steroidogenesis and endocrine development in rats.
  • LCT disrupts key hormone biosynthesis pathways and promotes adrenal cell apoptosis.
  • These findings highlight the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of LCT on the adrenal axis.

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