Exploring hazards of acute exposure of Acephate in Drosophila melanogaster and search for L-ascorbic acid mediated defense in it

This study reveals protective role of L-ascorbic acid (25, 50 and 100 mu g/mL) against toxic impacts of acute sub-lethal exposure of Acephate (5 mu g/mL) in a non-target organism Drosophila melanogaster. Organismal effect was evident from increased impairment in climbing activities (9 folds) of treated individuals who also manifested altered ocular architecture. These anomalies were reduced with L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) supplementation. Acephate induced apoptotic lesions in eye imaginal discs and gut confirmed tissue damage that also reduced with L-AA co-treatment. Reduction in viability of fat body cells (similar to 41%), neural cells (similar to 42%) and hemocytes (3 folds) indicates cytotoxic and immunotoxic potential of Acephate, which were significantly mitigated with L-AA co-administration. The sub-cellular toxic impacts of Acephate treatment became obvious from enhancement in activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT by similar to 1.63 folds, SOD by similar to 1.32 folds), detoxifying enzymes (Cyp450 by similar to 1.99 folds and GST by similar to 1.34 folds), 2.1 times boost in HSP 70 expression, and inhibition of cholinesterase activity (by similar to 0.66 folds). DNA breaks evident through comet assay confirmed Acephate triggered genotoxicity which could also be prevented through co-administration of. L-AA Furthermore, the study proposes the use of Drosophila as a model to screen chemicals for their protective potential against pesticide toxicity. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.