Dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems as preferential targets of the pyrethroid tefluthrin exposure in the rat brain

The monoaminergic systems dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) play important roles in neuromodulation, such as motor control, cognitive, affective, and neuroendocrine functions. In the present research study, we addressed the hypothesis that exposure to Type I pyrethroid tefluthrin may specifically target the dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems. Tefluthrin could modify brain monoamine neurotransmitters, DA and 5-HT levels as well as dopaminergic and serotoninergic signaling pathways. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with tefluthrin [2.2, 4.4 and 5.5 mg/kg bw, equivalent to 1/10, 1/5 and 1/4 of the acute oral rat lethal dose 50 (LD50) value] by oral gavage, six days. After last dose of tefluthrin, DA and 5-HT and metabolites levels were determined in brain regions (striatum, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus). Tefluthrin induced a decrease of DA, 5-HT and metabolites contents, in a brain regional- and dose-related manner. The major decreases in DA and 5-HT contents were observed in prefrontal cortex tissue. Here, we studied that in vivo exposure to tefluthrin may alter DA and 5-HT neurotransmission in prefrontal cortex. Transcripts related to (i) dopaminergic [dopamine transporter 1 (Dat1), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine receptors (Drd1, Drd2)], (ii) serotoninergic [serotonin transporter (SERT), tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), serotonin receptors (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A)] and (iii) DA and 5-HT degradation [monoamine oxidases (MAOA, MAOB)] signaling pathways were investigated. Results showed that tefluthrin induced down-regulation of transcripts responsible for the synthesis and action of DA (TH, Drd1, Drd2) and 5-HT (SERT, TPH2). In contrast, tefluthrin treatment induced up-regulation of genes involved in DA transporter (Dat1), 5-HT receptors (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A) and monoamine oxidases (MAOA, MAOB). Given the integral roles of mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic and serotoninergic alterations as hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, our data suggest that tefluthrin may be a candidate for pesticides contributing to neurodegenerative disorders pathogenesis by causing damage to the DA and 5-HT systems.