N-acetylcysteine inhibits Mancozeb-induced impairments to the normal development of zebrafish embryos

Mancozeb (MZ), a manganese/zinc-containing ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate (EBCD) fungicide has been claimed to present low acute toxicity and short environmental persistence, however, its effects on embryogenesis in non-target organisms is unclear. Here, we used zebrafish embryos (5 hpf) to assess the potential embryotoxic effects induced by MZ (up to 72 hpf) as well as the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process by pre-treatment with a classical antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine, NAC). Markers of reactive oxygen species production (ROS), glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were measured along with genotoxicity (comet assay), cell death (Acridine Orange) and behavioral parameters (spontaneous movement, touch stimulation and swimming response), in order to determine potential mechanisms of embryotoxicity. According to results, MZ was able to induce morphological abnormalities such as body axis distortion, DNA damage, cell death, increased ROS generation and changes in behavioral endpoints during zebrafish development. All these toxic effects were inhibited by the pre-treatment with NAC indicating a key role of redox unbalance during MZ-induced embryotoxicity. At least in our knowledge, this is the first report on the deleterious effect of MZ to the normal embryogenesis of zebrafish. In addition, the importance of ROS generation during this pathophysiological condition was highlighted.