Evaluation of the cumulative cytotoxic effect of pesticides applied in sugarcane crops on cells derived from human lung carcinoma (A549)

• Grant number: 22/15310-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Sabrina Aléssio Camacho
• Grantee: Gabriela Peres Salzedas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis, AP.TEM

Abstract

The national and global relevance of Brazilian agriculture is accompanied by the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Although they contribute to the increase of agricultural production, these substances generate environmental and public health impacts. The uncontrolled consumption, associated with the increase in the number of pesticides released and new records, has been alarming for the health and environmental sectors. Sugarcane production positionates the country as a world leader in the agricultural segment, with the state of São Paulo leading the national production. In this type of crop, the mesoregion of Assis stands out with a higher production than the state average. Among the most used pesticides in sugarcane crops in the São Paulo state, simazine and methyl parathion were the 2 most commonly found pesticides among the 25 detected in river waters that supply the mesoregion of Assis, and their effects on health human have been so far little explored. In this project, we will investigate the cytotoxicity of the pesticides simazine and methyl parathion in cells derived from human lung carcinoma (A549), since, due to inhalation, the lung is an organ vulnerable to such toxins. Human lung carcinoma cells are preferentially used because of their easy handling and high reproducibility when compared to primary cells. Cytotoxicity tests will be carried out from incubation with different concentrations (10-5 mol/L and concentrations regulated by law) of each pesticide, diluted in culture medium, as well as the mixture of both (cocktail), in in vitro cultures of A549 cells. The cumulative effect of these pesticides will be investigated through incubations for different times (24, 48, 72 and 96 h), evaluating the cytotoxicity generated over the exposure period. In addition, confocal fluorescence microscopy will be performed to indicate possible cellular changes triggered by the toxicity of these pesticides. This scientific initiation project is part of the Fapesp thematic project (2018/22214-6).