Biochemical and genetic toxicity of dinotefuran on earthworms (Eisenia fetida)

•Dinotefuran was stable in artificial soil during the 28-d exposure.•Dinotefuran could induce oxidative stress effect in the cells of earthworms.•The toxicity of dinotefuran had obvious dose- and time-dependent effects.•Dinotefuran may be a high-risk pollutant for earthworms.

Dinotefuran is a third-generation neonicotinoid insecticide, that is considered promising due to its excellent properties. In the present work, the biochemical and genetic toxicity of dinotefuran on earthworms were evaluated at a series of environmental background concentrations. Meanwhile, the effective concentrations of dinotefuran in artificial soil during the entire exposure period were monitored. The present results showed that dinotefuran was stable in artificial soil, and its concentrations changed no more than 20% during the 28-d exposure. At 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg, dinotefuran induced excess generation of ROS, resulting in significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and functional gene expression. Moreover, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids were oxidized and damaged by the excess ROS induced by dinotefuran, resulting in serious destruction of the structure and function of cells. Additionally, the toxicity of dinotefuran showed obvious dose- and time-dependent effects. Therefore, we consider that dinotefuran may be a high-risk pollutant for earthworms.

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