In vitro biological systems as models to evaluate the toxicity of pesticides

Recently the use of in vitro systems has gained acceptance for toxicological research, since they offer several advantages. We have used primary and immortalized cell cultures to evaluate the effect of the fungicide Methyl 1-(butylcarbamoyl)benzimidazole-2-carbamate (Benomyl), the insecticide O-2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidine-4-yl-0,0-dimethyl phosphorothioate (Pirimiphos-methyl), the herbicide 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Benomyl resulted responsible for microtubular disorganization in time-dose dependent manner, and for glutathione depletion. Pirimiphos-methyl, alone or combined with Benomyl, had no effect on microtubule organization, but reinforced glutathione depletion. MCPA exerted its primary effect on mitochondria, increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting the ATP-synthesizing ATPase. Flow cytometric analysis suggests that MCPA affects C3H cell cycle and induces the formation of type II foci in standard transformation assay. The results presented demonstrate that cultured cells represent a rapid, controlled and useful method to test pesticides both individually and in combination.