Effect of quercetin against lindane induced alterations in the serum and hepatic tissue lipids in wistar rats

Objective:To assess the effect of quercetin(flavonoid) against lindane induced alterations in lipid profile of wistar rats.Methods:Rats were administered orally with lindane(100 mg/kg body weight) and quercetin(10 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days.After the end of treatment period lipid profile was estimated in serum and tissue.Results:Elevated levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides,low density lipoprotein(LDL),very Low Density Lipoprotein(VLDL) and tissue triglycerides,cholesterol with concomitant decrease in serum HDL and tissue phospholipids were decreased in lindane treated rats were found to be significantly decreased in the quercetin and lindane co-treated rats.Conclusions:Our study suggests that quercetin has hypolipidemic effect and offers protection against lindane induced toxicity in liver by restoring the altered levels of lipids.The quercetin cotreatment along with lindane for 30 days reversed these biochemical alterations in lipids induced by lindane.

Effect of lindane on testicular antioxidant system and steroidogenic enzymes in adult rats

Aim: To find out the effect of lindane on testicular antioxidant system and testicular steroidogenesis in adult malerats. Methods: Adult male rats were orally administered with lindane at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight per dayfor 30 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the rats were killed using anesthetic ether. Testes, epididymis,seminal vesicles and ventral prostate were removed and weighed. A 10% testicular homogenate was prepared and cen-trifuged at 4℃. The supernatant was used for various biochemical estimations. Results; The body weight and theweights of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate were reduced in lindane-treated rats. There was asignificant decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione reduc-tase while an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) generation was observed. The specific activities of testicularsteroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were decreased. Thelevels of DNA, RNA and protein were also decreased in lindane-treated rats. Conclusion: Lindane induces oxida-tive stress and decreases antioxidant enzymes in adult male rats.

Effect of lindane on antioxidant enzymes in epididymis and epididymal sperm of adult rats

Aim: To find out the changes induced by lindane on the antioxidant enzymes in epididymis and epididymal sperm ofadult rats. Methods: Adult male rats were orally administered lindane at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight per dayfor 30 days. At the end of the treatment, the rats were sacrificed. The epididymis was removed and weighed and spermwere collected for sperm count, motility and biochemical studies. A 1% homogenate of epididymis was prepared andused for biochemical estimations. Results; In lindane-treated rats, there were significant reductions in the epididy-mal weight, epididymal sperm count and motility compared with the controls. Significant decreases in the superoxidedismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities and significant increases in theH_2O_2 generation and lipid peroxidation were also observed in the epididymis and epididymal sperm of lindane-treatedrats. Conclusion; Lindane decreases the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the epididymis and epididymal sperm ofadult rats thereby inducing oxidative stress. (Asian J Androl 2001 Sep; 3 : 205 - 208)

Effects of nature organic matters and hydrated metal oxides on the anaerobic degradation of lindane,p,p'-DDT and HCB in sediments

Effects of natural organic matters(NOM) and hydrated metal oxides(HMO) in sediments on the anaerobic degradation of γ 666, p,p' DDT and HCB were investigated by means of removing NOM and HMO in Liaohe River sediments sequentially. The results showed that the anaerobic degradation of γ 666, p,p' DDT and HCB followed pseudo first order kinetics in different sediments. But, the extents and rates of degradation were different, even the other conditions remained the same. Anaerobic degradation rates of γ 666, p,p' DDT and HCB were 0 020 d -1 , 0 009 d -1 and 0 035 month -1 respectively for the sediments without additional carbon resources. However, with addition of carbon resources, the anaerobic degradation rates of γ 666, p, p ' DDT and HCB were 0 071 d -1 , 0 054 d -1 and 0 088 month -1 in the original sediments respectively. After removing NOM, the rates were decreased to 0 047 d -1 , 0 037 d -1 and 0 066 month -1 ; in the sediments removed NOM and HMO, the rates were increased to 0 067 d -1 , 0 059 d -1 and 0 086 month -1 . These results indicated that NOM in the sediments accelerated the anaerobic degradation of γ 666, p,p' DDT and HCB; the HMO inhibited the anaerobic degradation of γ 666, p,p' DDT and HCB.

The model test of leaching behaviour of trifluralin, lindane and aldicarb through the plough layer in three types of soil

A study on the leaching behaviour of trifluralin, lindane and aldicarb in three different types of soil was performed using soil column method. Leaching of trifluralin was not much influenced by soil types. Organic matter content showed an apparent influence on the leaching of lindane and aldicarb. Leaching depth of the pesticide was found to be negatively related to the organic matter content of the soil under study. It was also found that hydrophobic property of the pesticide increased the tendency of adsorption of the chemical to soil particles and hence reduced its leaching tendency. Thus, the leaching depths of the three pesticides in each of the three soils were observed in the order: aldicarb >lindane> trifluralin. Leaching behaviour of the three pesticides was also predicted based on the adsorption coefficients of the chemicals. For trifluralin and lindane, the predicted results were considerably in line with the results of the experiment.

Immobilization of laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila on functionalized silica nanoparticles: Optimization and application in lindane degradation

This work is focused on immobilization of laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila expressed in Aspergillus oryzae(Novozym 51003?laccase)on amino modified fumed nano-silica(AFNS)and the possible use in bioremediation.Hereby,for the first time,factors affecting the immobilization of Novozym 51003?laccase on AFNS were investigated for defining the immobilization mechanism and optimizing the utilization of AFNS as support for laccase immobilization.The highest specific activity(13.1 IU·mg-1 proteins)was achieved at offered 160 mg per g of AFNS and for the same offered protein concentration the highest activity immobilization yield,reaching68.3%after the equilibrium time,at optimum pH 5.0,was obtained.Laccase immobilization occurs by adsorption as monolayer enzyme binding in 40 min,following pseudo-first-order kinetics.The possible use of obtained immobilized preparation was investigated in degradation of pesticide lindane.Within 24 h,lindane concentration was reduced to 56.8%of initial concentration and after seven repeated reuses it retained 70%of the original activity.

Lindane Degradation and Effects on Soil Microbial Activity

The degradation of U-14C-lindane in two Egyptian soils was determined in a three-month laboratory incubation. Lindane mineralization was slow and limited in both soils. Evolution of 14CO2 increased with time but only reached 3. 5 to 5. 5 % of the initial 14C-concentration within 90 days. At that time both soils contained about 88 % of the applied radiocarbon; 33 % to 37% of the initial dose was unextractable and assumed bound to the soils. The methanol-ex-tractable 14C primarily contained lindane with traces of minor metabolites. Radiorespirometry was used to eva1uate the effect of lindane on soil microbial activity. Low concentrations of the insecticide initially supressed 14CO2 evolution from U-14C-glucose and microbial activity was significantly inhibited by 10 mg lindane/kg soil.

Assessment of Lindane and Atrazine Residues in Maize Produced in Ghana Using Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Maize is consumed by over 95% of the Ghanaian populace and the practice of using Atrazine and Lindane (an Organochlorine) pesticides in its production has raised concerns about potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. A field survey was conducted in this study to assess farmers’ knowledge of safe handling and use of these chemicals as well as toxicity awareness and symptoms among farmers and traders. Residues of these pesticides in maize samples as well as the potential health risk associated with exposure to them were also evaluated. Composite maize samples were collected for nine of ten regions in Ghana and analyzed. Data obtained from the field survey indicate that a large proportion of farmers are at risk of pesticide poisoning through occupational exposure. Over 80% of applicators do not apply safety precautions during pesticide mixing and application;resulting in considerable prevalence of pesticide related illnesses in the study area. Residues of Lindane and atrazine were below detection limits of 0.005 mg/kg and 0.010 mg/kg respectively;except in the Ashanti region where atrazine was 0.05 mg/kg which was within the EU-MRL of 0.1 mg/kg. However, minute concentrations of other Organochlorines (endrin—0.007 mg/kg;heptachlor—0.023 mg/kg;alpha-endosulfan—0.013 mg/kg) were found in maize samples from Brong Ahafo, eastern, central and upper west regions. Though endrin and alpha-endosulfan were below the EU-MRL of 0.01 mg/kg and 0.10 mg/kg respectively, heptachlor was slightly above the EU-MRL of 0.01 mg/kg. The estimated dose for all these pesticides however does not pose direct hazard to human health although present in the maize samples since the values were lower than toxic thresholds and reference doses. However, due to the unsafe application practices by applicators, there exists a potential risk for systemic and carcinogenic health effects by these chemicals in the study area.

Degradation of Lindane (γ-HCH) in a Mollisol as Effected by Different Soil Amendments

Soil amendments play an important role in management of pesticide residues. In this study, incubation experiment was conducted using the surface (0 - 15 cm) sample of a mollisol supplied with different soil amendments (farmyard manure, cow-dung slurry, pyrite and gypsum) to investigate the effect of amendments on the dissipation of lindane in mollisols. Dissipation of lindane in soil was studied at eight consecutive samplings (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 d). The results indicated that soil amendments could promote the degradation of lindane in soil. After 30 d of incubation 79% degradation was observed in the untreated soil (without any amendment) whereas, in the case of farmyard manure and cow-dung slurry amended soils, 83% and 91% degradation was observed, respectively. The pyrite and gypsum amendments also enhanced the degradation of lindane in soils, but the effect was less pronounced as compared to the organic amendments. Enhanced degradation in soil treated with organic amendments could be attributed to stimulated microbial activity after the addition of organic amendments. These addition, under different soil management conditions, minimize the persistence of lindane and consequently the risk of leaching and seepage into aquifers.

European cooperation to tackle the legacies of hexachlorocyclohexane(HCH)and lindane

Hexachlorocyclohexane(HCH)waste isomers from lindane production are the largest single POPs legacy,with an estimated 4.8 to 7.4 million tonnes of disposed waste.The largest part of this waste e 1.8 to 3 million tonnes e was disposed in Europe,where most producers were located.This paper provides a short overview of projects supported by the European Union(EU)to address this waste legacy and to implement the Stockholm Convention for this group of POPs with associated protection of soil,ecosystems and human health.We report here particularly on the results of a project financed by the EU called the“HCH in EU project”,which aimed to develop a systematic inventory of sites where HCH was handled and potentially resulted in contamination.The compiled information provide guidance for competent authorities to further assess their national HCH inventory and to further develop a strategy to address this large POP legacy in future.The systematic inventory revealed that there were at least 299 sites where HCH was handled.These sites include 54 former production sites,76 pesticide processing plants that used lindane,59 uncontrolled HCH waste isomer deposits,29 landfills with HCH waste,34 former or current storage sites for stocks of obsolete pesticides including technical HCH or lindane,and 16 HCH treatment or disposal sites.Additionally,at 31 of the sites lindane/technical HCH was used in applications with significant risk of soil pollution,such as wood treatment.The number of sites in this latter category is likely higher and will need further assessment.In addition to this inventory,the“HCH in EU project”produced detailed country reports,a guidance document for how to find potentially HCHimpacted sites,and a strategy document for implementing the sustainable management of these sites EU-wide,with proposed actions at the EU,country,and site level.Furthermore,the project has facilitated information exchange and e together with other related EU projects e has led to sharing information and best practices among member states and to establishing a network of authorities and other stakeholders working on the lindane/HCH waste legacy.This collaboration will facilitate a more systematic and better coordinated process to further assess,secure,and remediate the large HCH waste legacy and reduce and control lindane/HCH releases in the EU and possibly beyond.Such a coordinated effort and exchange of information for inventorying and managing contaminated sites might also be useful for other POPs such as PFOS/PFOA or dioxins.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of lindane using metal–semiconductor Zn@ZnO and ZnO/Ag nanostructures

To achieve enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of lindane, we prepared metal–semiconductor composite nanoparticles（NPs）. Zn@ZnO core–shell（CS） nanocomposites, calcined ZnO, and Ag-doped ZnO（ZnO/Ag） nanostructures were prepared using pulsed laser ablation in liquid, calcination, and photodeposition methods, respectively, without using surfactants or catalysts. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by using X-ray diffraction（XRD）, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible（UV–vis） spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. In addition, elemental analysis was performed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The obtained XRD and morphology results indicated good dispersion of Zn and Ag NPs on the surface of the ZnO nanostructures. Investigation of the photocatalytic degradation of lindane under UV–vis irradiation showed that Zn@ZnO CS nanocomposites exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than the other prepared samples. The maximum degradation rate of lindane was 99.5% in 40 min using Zn@ZnO CS nanocomposites. The radical trapping experiments verified that the hydroxyl radical（·OH） was the main reactive species for the degradation of lindane.

Assembly and variation of root-associated microbiota of rice during their vegetative growth phase with and without lindane pollutant

Soil-derived microbiota associated with plant roots are conducive to plant growth and stress resistance.However,the spatio-temporal dynamics of microbiota in response to organochlorine pollution during the unstable vegetative growth phase of rice is not well understood.In this study,we focused on the rice(Oryza sativa L.)microbiota across the bulk soil,rhizosphere and endosphere compartments during the vegetative growth phase in two different soils with and without lindane pollutant.The results showed that the factors of growth time,soil types and rhizo-compartments had significant influence on the microbial communities of rice,while lindane mostly stimulated the construction of endosphere microbiota at the vegetative phase.Active rice root-soil-microbe interactions induced an inhibition effect on lindane removal at the later vegetative growth phase in rice-growth-dependent anaerobic condition,likely due to the root oxygen loss and microbial mediated co-occurring competitive electron-consuming redox processes in soils.Each rhizocompartment owned distinct microbial communities,and therefore,presented specific ecologically functional categories,while the moderate functional differences were also affected by plants species and residual pollution stress.This work revealed the underground micro-ecological process of microbiota and especially their potential linkage to the natural attenuation of residual organochlorine such as lindane.

Contamination by Organochlorine Pesticides in the Estuaries of Southeast China

Persistent organic pollutants(POPs) such as organochlorine pesticides are of global concern due to their widespread occurrence and persistence. This paper reports recent research studying the distribution and fate of organochlorine pesticides in the Jiulong River, the Minjiang River and the Pearl River estuaries in Southeast China. Eighteen organochlorine pesticides were extracted from water, pore water and sediment samples, followed by analysis by GC ECD. The results showed that the contamination levels were similar in these three estuaries. The levels of the total organochlorine pesticides in porewater were significantly higher than those in surface water, due to the high affinity of these hydrophobic compounds for sediment phase. Among the hexachlorocyclohexane(HCH) compounds, β HCH was found to be the most important isomer. The analysis of 1,1,1 trichloro 2,2 bis chlorophenyl ethane(DDT) and its metabolites showed that 1,1 dichloro 2[ o chlorophenyl] 2[ p chlorophenyl] ethylene(DDE) was dominant in the group.

Gridded inventories of historical usage for selected organochlorine pesticides in Heilongjiang River Basin, China

The use of technical HCH （1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexachlorocyclohexane）, DDT （dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane） and lindane in Heilongjiang River Basin （HRB） of China was studied. Between 1952 and 1984 the total usage in the HRB was 108900 t for technical HCH, and 4900 t for DDT, respectively, and the use of DDT due to dicofol application in the HRB was 220 t from 1984 to 2003. The usage of lindane in HRB was 109 t from 1991 to 2000. The results show that the highest technical HCH use （41800 t） in HRB was on maize, accounting for 38.3% of the total usage on all crops, followed by the use on wheat （28000 t, 25.7%） and on soybean （26600 t, 24.4%）. The highest DDT use （2300 t） was on soybean, accounting for 46.8% of the total usage on all crops, followed by the use on maize （1500 t, 31.3%） and on sorghum （600 t, 13.2%）. The major use of lindane was mainly on wheat. Gridded usage inventories of these three OCPs （organochlorine pesticides）, in HRB with a 1/6° latitude by 1/4° longitude resolution have been created by using different gridded cropland as surrogates. Some soil samples have also been collected in HRB. Data of usage and soil concentrations of 5： HCH in HRB match quite well to those in Shanghai region, and much higher soil concentration of 5： DDT in Shanghai region could be due to much heavier dicofol use in this region.

Toxicological Impact of Benzenehexachloride on the Behaviour and Neuropathology of Heteropneustes fossilis

Toxicological Impact of Benzenehexachloride on the Behaviour and Neuropathology of Heteropneustes fossilis.Organochlorine pesticides are widely used in the vast agricultural fields of Assam, India. Runoffs from treated fields contaminates nearby bodies of water with organochlorine componds, which are neurotoxic to the ichthyofouna. The present work was designed to study the effect of bezenehexachloride on the behaviour and histopathology of Heteropneustes fossilis, as an experimental model.The experimental fish were exposed to different concentraions of the pesticide for 72 hoare. After exposure, the fish exhibited various behavioural changes. Histopathological exndnation of brain tis-sue revealed cytopathic and gross histopaholopcal alteratios, including necrosis and infrationalchanges. These results are consistent with the finding that organochlorides cause neurotoxic effects.