Metabonomics analysis of urine and plasma from rats given long-term and low-dose dimethoate by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

This study assessed the effects of long-term, low-dose dimethoate administration to rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Dimethoate (0.04, 0.12, and 0.36 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered daily to male Wistar rats through their drinking water for 24 weeks. Significant changes in serum clinical chemistry were observed in the middle- and high-dose groups. UPLC-MS revealed evident separate clustering among the different dose groups using global metabolic profiling by supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis. Metabonomic analysis showed alterations in a number of metabolites (12 from urine and 13 from plasma), such as L-tyrosine, dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), citric acid, uric acid, suberic acid, glycylproline, allantoin, isovalerylglutamic acid and kinds of lipids. The results suggest that long-term, low-dose exposure to dimethoate can cause disturbances in liver function, antioxidant and nervous systems, as well as the metabolisms of lipids, glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and collagen in rats. DMTP and DMDTP, which had the most significant changes among all other studied biomarkers, were considered as early, sensitive biomarkers of exposure to dimethoate. The other aforementioned proposed toxicity biomarkers in metabonomic analysis may be useful in the risk assessment of the toxic effects of dimethoate. Metabonomics as a systems toxicology approach was able to provide comprehensive information on the dynamic process of dimethoate induced toxicity. In addition, the results indicate that metabonomic approach could detect systemic toxic effects at an earlier stage compared to clinical chemistry. The combination of metabonomics and clinical chemistry made the toxicity of dimethoate on rats more comprehensive.

Simultaneous quantification of the organophosphorus pesticides dimethoate and omethoate in porcine plasma and urine by LC-ESI-MS/MS and flow-injection-ESI-MS/MS.

Dimethoate is an organophosphorus toxicant used in agri- and horticulture as a systemic broad-spectrum insecticide. It also exhibits toxic activity towards mammalian organism provoked by catalytic desulfuration in the liver producing its oxon-derivative omethoate thus inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, initiating cholinergic crisis and ultimately leading to death by respiratory paralysis and cardiovascular collapse. Pharmaco- and toxicokinetic studies in animal models help to broaden basic understanding of medical intervention by antidotes and supportive care. Therefore, we developed and validated a LC-ESI-MS/MS method suitable for the simultaneous, selective, precise (RSD(intra-day) 1-8%; RSD(inter-day) 5-14%), accurate (intra-day: 95-107%; inter-day: 90-115%), and robust quantification of both pesticides from porcine urine and plasma after deproteinization by precipitation and extensive dilution (1:11,250 for plasma and 1:40,000 for urine). Accordingly, lower limits of quantification (0.24-0.49 microg/ml plasma and 0.78-1.56 microg/ml urine) and lower limits of detection (0.12-0.24 microg/ml plasma and 0.39-0.78 microg/ml urine) were equivalent to quite low absolute on-column amounts (1.1-2.1 pg for plasma and 2.0-3.9 pg for urine). The calibration range (0.24-250 microg/ml plasma and 0.78-200 microg/ml urine) was subdivided into two linear ranges (r(2)>or=0.998) each covering nearly two orders of magnitude. The lack of any interfering peak in 6 individual blank specimens from plasma and urine demonstrated the high selectivity of the method. Furthermore, extensive sample dilution causing lowest concentration of potentially interfering matrix ingredients prompted us to develop and validate an additional flow-injection method (FI-ESI-MS/MS). Validation characteristics were as good as for the chromatographic method but sample throughput was enhanced by a factor of 6. Effects on ionization provoked by plasma and urine matrix from 6 individuals as well as in the presence of therapeutics (antidotes) administered in an animal study were investigated systematically underlying in the reliability of the presented methods. Both methods were applied to porcine samples derived from an in vivo animal study.

Method for determination of acephate, methamidophos, omethoate, dimethoate, ethylenethiourea and propylenethiourea in human urine using high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Because of increasing concern about widespread use of insecticides and fungicides, we have developed a highly sensitive analytical method to quantify urine-specific urinary biomarkers of the organophosphorus pesticides acephate, methamidophos, omethoate, dimethoate, and two metabolites from the fungicides alkylenebis-(dithiocarbamate) family: ethylenethiourea and propylenethiourea. The general sample preparation included lyophilization of the urine samples followed by extraction with dichloromethane. The analytical separation was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and detection by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis. Two different Thermo-Finnigan (San Jose, CA, USA) triple quadrupole mass spectrometers, a TSQ 7,000 and a TSQ Quantum Ultra, were used in these analyses; results are presented comparing the method specifications of these two instruments. Isotopically labeled internal standards were used for three of the analytes. The use of labeled internal standards in combination with HPLC-MS/MS provided a high degree of selectivity and precision. Repeated analysis of urine samples spiked with high, medium and low concentration of the analytes gave relative standard deviations of less than 18%. For all compounds the extraction efficiency ranged between 52% and 63%, relative recoveries were about 100%, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.001-0.282 ng/ml.

Solid-phase microextraction for gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of dimethoate in human biological samples.

A new, simple and rapid procedure for the determination of dimethoate in urine and blood samples was developed using direct immersion solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This technique required only 0.1 mL of sample, and ethion was used as internal standard. Two types of coated fibre were compared (100 microm polydimethylsiloxane, and 65 microm Carbowax/divinylbenzene). Other parameters, such as extraction temperature, adsorption and desorption time, salt addition, agitation and pH, were optimized to enhance the sensitivity of the method. Limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) were 50 and 100 ng/mL for urine and 200 and 500 ng/mL for blood, respectively. The method was found to be linear between the LOQ and 40 microg/mL for urine, and between the LOQ and 50 microg/mL for blood, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9923-0.9996. Precision (intra- and interday) and accuracy were in conformity with the criteria normally accepted in bioanalytical method validation. The mean absolute recoveries of dimethoate were 1.24 and 0.50% for urine and blood, respectively. Because of its simplicity and the fact that small volumes of sample are used, the described method can be successfully used in the diagnosis of poisoning by this pesticide, namely in those situations where the sample volume is limited, as frequently occurs in forensic toxicology.

Exposure to omethoate during stapling of ornamental plants in intensive cultivation tunnels: influence of environmental conditions on absorption of the pesticide.

This report describes a study of exposure to omethoate during manual operations with ornamental plants in two intensive cultivation tunnels (tunnel 8 and tunnel 5). Airborne concentrations of omethoate were in the range 1.48-5.36 nmol/m(3). Total skin contamination in the range 329.94-12,934.46 nmol/day averaged 98.1 +/- 1.1% and 99.3 +/- 0.6% of the total potential dose in tunnel 8 and tunnel 5, respectively. Estimated absorbed doses during work in tunnel 5 were much higher than the acceptable daily intake of omethoate, which is 1.41 nmol/kg b.w. This finding shows that organization of the work or the protective clothing worn in tunnel 5 did not protect the workers from exposure. Urinary excretion of alkylphosphates was significantly higher than in the general population, increasing with exposure and usually showing a peak in the urine sample collected after the work shift. Urinary alkylphosphates showed a good correlation with estimated potential doses during work in tunnel 8 and are confirmed as sensitive biological indicators of exposure to phosphoric esters. The linear regression analysis between the urinary excretion of alkylphosphate, expressed as total nmol excreted in 24 h, and total cutaneous dose allows for estimating that the fraction of omethoate absorbed through the skin during work in tunnel 8 is about 16.5%.

Evaluation of respiratory and cutaneous doses and urinary excretion of alkylphosphates by workers in greenhouses treated with omethoate, fenitrothion, and tolclofos-methyl.

This research evaluated exposure pathways across work tasks for three organophosphate pesticides in a group of greenhouse workers. During reentry in ornamental plant greenhouses, five male workers were monitored for five consecutive days. Skin contamination (excluding hands) was evaluated with nine pads of filter paper placed on the skin. Hand contamination was assessed by washing with 95% ethanol. Respiratory exposure was evaluated by personal air sampling. The respiratory dose was based on a lung ventilation of 20 L/min. The doses absorbed were estimated assuming 10% skin penetration and 100% lung retention. Urinary alkylphosphates were assayed in the 24-hour urine samples of the days on which exposure was evaluated. Respiratory exposure was usually less than skin contamination, being 4.5 +/- 8.4%, 9.9 +/- 10.0%, and 49.5 +/- 26.6% (mean +/- standard deviation) of total exposure for omethoate, tolclofos-methyl, and fenitrothion, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that urinary alkylphosphate (nmol/24 hours) (y) was significantly correlated (r = 0.716, p < 0.001) with the respiratory doses of the three active ingredients absorbed the same day (x1) and with the cutaneous dose absorbed the previous day (x2). The relationship was expressed by the equation y = 0.592x2 + 0.117x, + 156.364. The doses of omethoate absorbed by one worker were more than 45 times the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 1.41 nmol/kg body weight (b.w.) The ADI for fenitrothion and tolclofos-methyl (10.8 and 212.6 nmol/kg body weight, respectively) were never exceeded. High absorption by one worker underlines the importance of correct use of protective clothing. In this study the hands were always a source of contact with the pesticides. Greater precautions should be taken to reduce contamination (clean gloves, constant use of gloves).

Environmental and biological monitoring of exposure to mancozeb, ethylenethiourea, and dimethoate during industrial formulation.

The results of environmental (11 subjects) and biological (57 subjects) monitoring of exposure to mancozeb, ethylenethiourea (ETU), and dimethoate are reported for employees of a firm producing commercial formulations containing these active ingredients. Urinary excretion [GM(GSD)] of ETU (microg/g creatinine) and alkylphosphates [dimethylphosphate (DMP) + dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) + dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP)] (nmol/g creatinine) was 65.3(4.8) and 419.2(2.1), respectively, for employees engaged in the formulation of a product containing 80% mancozeb (n = 9), 36.6(1.9) and 296.4(2.4) for those formulating a product containing 35% mancozeb (n = 9), 9.5(6.1) and 1022.4(3.0) for those engaged in plant maintenance and internal transport of materials (n = 6), 10.3(4.2) and 322.8(3.3) for those engaged in packaging the mancozeb formulations (n = 16), 4.4(3.3) and 2545.4(3.9) for those formulating a product containing 40% dimethoate (n = 11), and 3.0(2.7) and 871.7(3.3) for those bottling the same dimethoate formulation (n = 10). Air concentrations (microg/m3) ranged from 25.3 to 194.4 for dimethoate, from 0.2 to 1.3 for ETU, and from 139.9 to 949.0 for mancozeb. Urinary excretion of ETU and alkylphosphates showed a significant correlation with mancozeb (r2 = .971), and ETU (r2 = .858), and dimethoate (r2 = .955) contamination of the hands. Potential dose estimates showed that the potential respiratory doses of mancozeb and dimethoate accounted, on the average, for 38% of the total potential dose. The potential respiratory dose of ETU was 7% of the total potential dose. Total estimated absorption did not exceed the accepted daily dose (ADI) for ETU and mancozeb, but the ADI for dimethoate was exceeded. Serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities in workers formulating dimethoate products were not significantly different before and after exposure.

Acephate insecticide toxicity: safety conferred by inhibition of the bioactivating carboxyamidase by the metabolite methamidophos.

Acephate is an important systemic organophosphorus insecticide with toxicity attributed to bioactivation on metabolic conversion to methamidophos (or an oxidized metabolite thereof) which acts as an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. The selective toxicity of acephate is considered to be due to facile conversion to methamidophos in insects but not mammals. We show in the present investigation that a carboxyamidase activates acephate in mice and in turn undergoes inhibition by the hydrolysis product, i.e., methamidophos; thus, the bioactivation is started but immediately turned off. These relationships are established by finding that 4 h pretreatment of mice with methamidophos i.p. at 5 mg/kg has the following effects on acephate action: reduces methamidophos and acephate levels in liver by 30-60% in the first 2 h after i.p. acephate dosage; inhibits the liver carboxyamidase cleaving [14CH3S]acephate to [14CH3S]methamidiphos with 50% block at approximately 1 mg/kg; strongly inhibits 14CO2 liberation from [CH3(14)C(O)]acephate in vivo; markedly alters the pattern of urinary metabolites of acephate by increasing O- and S-demethylation products retaining the carboxyamide moiety; greatly reduces the brain AChE inhibition following acephate treatment; doubles the LD50 of i.p.-administered acephate from 540 to 1140 mg/kg. Methamidophos pretreatment in rats also markedly alters the metabolism of dimethoate (another systemic insecticide) from principally carboxyamide hydrolysis to mainly other pathways. In contrast, methamidophos pretreatment of houseflies does not alter the acephate-induced toxicity and brain AChE inhibition. The safety of acephate in mammals therefore appears to be due to conversion in small part to methamidophos which, acting directly or as a metabolite, is a potent carboxyamidase inhibitor, thereby blocking further activation.

Metabolism and excretion of dimethoate following ingestion of overtolerance peas and a bolus dose.

Data to guide an exposure assessment were obtained by giving sugar peas containing overtolerance dimethoate residues (17 ppm; 8% oxon) and a bolus dose of dimethoate to a healthy adult male. The dimethoate tolerance on peas was and remains 2 ppm. Serial total urine samples were collected and analysed for dimethoate and its oxon, dimethylphosphate, dimethylphosphorothioate (DMTP) and dimethylphosphorodithioate. The dose of dimethoate administered was approx. 0.1 mg/kg body weight and produced no symptoms of toxicity. Dimethylphosphates appeared in the urine within 2 hr. The major metabolite (about 60%) was DMTP. Only traces (< 0.5%) of dimethoate and oxon were recovered from urine. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition was not observed although urinary metabolites were prominent, indicating that they are better indicators of acute exposure than cholinesterase inhibition. The results obtained using a bolus dose were virtually identical to those from the trial with overtolerance peas, and indicated that dimethoate is readily absorbed and its urinary metabolites are readily eliminated following exposures to low doses (0.1 mg/kg body weight).