Immunomodulatory effect of DDT (bis[4-chlorophenyl]-1,1,1-trichloroethane) on complement system and macrophages

Toxicology. 2008 Oct 30;252(1-3):78-85. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2008.07.063. Epub 2008 Aug 7.

Abstract

DDT (bis[4-chlorophenyl]-1,1,1-trichloroethane) is responsible for many immuno-dysregulatory functions in exposed animals, but data particularly on complement system and macrophages are limited. In this study we have shown that DDT activates the complement system through the alternative pathway in the absence of any pathogen. A significant (p<0.05) increase in C3b, C3d and C3a generation, and decline in complement hemolytic activity was observed in insecticide exposed sera. The uncontrolled complement consumption reduces the lytic activity of the complement, which enhances the susceptibility to pyogenic infection if the exposure to DDT remains unabated. Further, DDT induced the significant (p<0.05) production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) in macrophages and thus contributes inflammatory reactions, cytokine imbalance and immune-dysregulation. These molecular changes in macrophages lead to structural aberrations like heterochromatin condensation, loss of pseudopodia, cytoplasmic vacuolization, DNA fragmentation and hypodiploid nuclei as seen in our study, suggesting apoptosis. However, in presence lipopolysaccharide, DDT induced significant (p<0.05) suppression of TNF-alpha and NO generation, suggestive of impairment of macrophage microbiocidal effects. This study concludes that the functional and structural derangements of macrophages in association with uncontrolled and excessive complement consumption by DDT are perhaps one of the major mechanisms contributing to the immunosuppressive effects of insecticide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Complement C3 / physiology
  • Complement C3d / physiology
  • Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay
  • Complement Pathway, Classical / drug effects
  • Complement System Proteins / physiology*
  • DDT / toxicity*
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • DNA / genetics
  • Edetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Egtazic Acid / pharmacology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Complement C3
  • Insecticides
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Egtazic Acid
  • Complement C3d
  • Complement System Proteins
  • DNA
  • Edetic Acid
  • DDT