Effects of acetamiprid and flumethrin on Unio sp. primary cells

Synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids are the most common pesticides used globally due to their low toxicity in mammals. Residues at very low concentrations and in mixtures are of concern to benthic species as these organisms are commonly exposed through water, particulate material, or sediments. In the current study, the cytotoxic effects of flumethrin and acetamiprid on primary cell cultures of Unio sp.'s mantle, gill, gonad, and digestive gland tissues were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red assays. Compared to acetamiprid, flumethrin was more cytotoxic to all tested cells. Gonadal cells were more susceptible to flumethrin compared to other cultured cells, while they were least affected by acetamiprid. Lysosomal and mitochondrial cytotoxicities were different for each tissue and tested drugs, according to Neutral Red and MTT test results. Even though, in vitro cell culture studies can not to display the entire toxicological responses of the organism, culture conditions and cellular mechanisms may still be effectively researched in bivalves. This study demonstrated the potential of Unio sp. cell culture as an alternative for in vitro aquatic invertebrate toxicity testing.