有機リン系殺虫剤の発達期曝露が脳・腸へ及ぼす影響

抄録

Acephate, an organophosphate insecticide, are effective against many insects, but the effects of early exposure on the central nervous system of mammals are not fully understood. In addition, in recent decades, the bidirectional interaction between the central nervous system and the gut microbiota has begun to be elucidated. Therefore, there may also be a correlation between acephate-induced behavioral effects and gut microbiota alteration. In this study, we examined the effects of chronic acephate exposure in early life on the brain functions and gut microbiota in adult mice, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) level concentrations (0.03 mg/kg/day). We exposed maternal mice to low (ADI level : 0.3 ppm), medium (10 ppm), and high (300 ppm) doses of acephate via drinking water. Dams were exposed to acephate from the gestation period (E-11.5) to lactation period when pups were 2 weeks of age. Then, behavioral tests were also conducted on 12–13-week-old mice, and fecal samples were collected from the rectum of mice dissected at 13 weeks of age, and 16s rRNA analysis was conducted. In the treated groups, significant learning and memory deficits were observed in male mice. However, no significant behavioral effects in female mice were observed. Gut microbiota analysis showed a reduced diversity and an altered microbiome composition. These results suggested that chronic exposure to acephate during development, even at ADI level concentrations, leads to neurobehavioral diseases and disruption of the gut microbiota.