Note from the Associated and General Editors

Nota de los Editores Asociados y General

Nos complace presentar este número especial dedicado al análisis de los efectos genotóxicos, ecotoxicológicos y sanitarios derivados de la exposición a plaguicidas, productos veterinarios y otros contaminantes ambientales de relevancia para América Latina. En un contexto regional caracterizado por una intensa actividad agrícola y pecuaria, la evaluación de los riesgos asociados a estos compuestos constituye una prioridad científica y sanitaria, tanto para la protección de la salud humana como para la preservación de los ecosistemas.

Los trabajos reunidos en este volumen reflejan el notable desarrollo alcanzado por el sistema científico latinoamericano en los campos de la mutagénesis ambiental, la genotoxicología y la toxicología ambiental. A través de enfoques complementarios que abarcan revisiones de alcance, síntesis integradoras de evidencia, estudios epidemiológicos y ensayos experimentales en distintos modelos biológicos, los autores aportan información actualizada sobre los efectos biológicos de contaminantes ampliamente utilizados en actividades agrícolas y veterinarias.

Las contribuciones incluidas examinan los efectos de la exposición a plaguicidas en poblaciones humanas de Bolivia y Brasil, evalúan respuestas genotóxicas y bioquímicas en especies nativas de la región pampeana, analizan el impacto de compuestos de uso veterinario sobre la integridad genética y la viabilidad celular, y exploran los mecanismos mediante los que diversos contaminantes ambientales pueden contribuir al desarrollo de enfermedades complejas, incluido el cáncer de mama. Asimismo, se aborda una temática de creciente interés regulatorio y científico: la exposición agregada y acumulativa a múltiples principios activos y sus potenciales consecuencias genotóxicas.

En conjunto, los artículos de este número especial ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de fortalecer la investigación interdisciplinaria orientada a comprender los mecanismos de daño genético inducidos por agentes ambientales y a generar evidencia científica sólida para la evaluación y gestión de riesgos. Asimismo, destacan la importancia de incorporar biomarcadores de exposición y efecto, enfoques ecotoxicológicos integrados y estrategias de vigilancia ambiental que permitan anticipar y mitigar impactos sobre la salud y la biodiversidad.

Confiamos en que este volumen constituirá una referencia de interés para investigadores, profesionales y organismos de regulación vinculados a la salud ambiental, y que contribuirá a consolidar las redes de colaboración científica en América Latina, promoviendo el avance del conocimiento en mutagénesis ambiental y su aplicación a la protección de las poblaciones humanas y los ecosistemas de la región.

Dr. Alejandro D. Bolzán
Editor Asociado

Dr. Guillermo Giovambattista
Editor General

ARTICLE 1 – research

IMPACTO DEL AMITRAZ SOBRE LA INTEGRIDAD GENÉTICA Y LA VIABILIDAD CELULAR EN LINFOCITOS BOVINOS

IMPACT OF AMITRAZ ON GENETIC INTEGRITY AND CELL VIABILITY IN BOVINE LYMPHOCYTES

Pardiñas C., Manso Gonzalez S.T., Heredia M.F., Padula G., Seoane A.

Amitraz is one of the insecticides of choice for the treatment of ectoparasites in various domestic species, both in agriculture and veterinary medicine. Due to its high lipophilicity, this compound can be rapidly absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, representing a potentially relevant exposure route for both animals and humans. Considering that the toxic effects of amitraz and its metabolites, as well as their mechanisms of action, have not yet been fully elucidated, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of this insecticide on biomarkers of viability, genotoxicity, and oxidative damage in in vitro cultured bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes. Whole-blood cultures were established and treated with amitraz at concentrations ranging from 1.25 to 3.75 µg/mL for 24 h. Genotoxicity (comet assay and micronucleus test), cell viability (MTT assay), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay) were evaluated. Overall, the analyzed biomarkers revealed the potential of amitraz to induce genetic damage and cytotoxicity in bovine lymphocytes, whereas no evidence of oxidative damage was observed. Further studies are required to determine whether these effects are mediated by its ability to induce oxidative stress, as previously suggested.

Key words: Amitraz, Genotoxicity, Bovine, In vitro
Language: Spanish

ARTICLE 2 – research

RIESGO ECOTOXICOLÓGICO DE PLAGUICIDAS: RESPUESTAS GENOTÓXICAS Y BIOQUÍMICAS EN ESPECIES NATIVAS DE LA REGIÓN PAMPEANA

ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RISK OF PESTICIDES: GENOTOXIC AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES IN NATIVE SPECIES OF THE PAMPEAN REGION

Ruiz de Arcaute C., Laborde M. R. R., Cardascia F., Raffin Casanave M., Pérez Ponce M., Cabaleiro M.,
Soloneski S.

Pesticides are ubiquitous compounds that act as potent environmental chemical pollutants. Their intensive use leads to several problems associated with changes in biodiversity, environmental pollution, public health impacts, and general environmental degradation, a situation exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Here, we present an integrated data analysis derived from several studies conducted by our research group, describing some of the ecotoxicological effects observed in native fish and amphibian species, representative of aquatic ecosystems, following exposure to commercial pesticide formulations based on 2,4-D, lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), and imidacloprid (IMI), all of which are widely used in Argentina. We evaluated both genotoxicity and alterations in oxidative balance induced by 2,4-D in adult specimens of the fish Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Pisces, Poeciliidae) using the commercial formulation DMA® (58.4% 2,4-D), and by the insecticide IMI contained in the commercial formulation Punto 35® (30% IMI). In Rhinella arenarum larvae, the microformulation Karate® (25% LCT) was evaluated over exposure periods of 48 and 96 h. The employed methodologies included the micronucleus (MN) test and the comet assay (EC), as well as the measurement of catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, together with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The results demonstrate that the commercial formulations exert significant toxic effects on the evaluated species, even at environmentally relevant concentrations. The induction of genetic damage, alterations in oxidative balance, and, in some cases, neurotoxic effects were observed. These findings confirm and expand upon existing evidence regarding the adverse effects of pesticides widely employed in modern agriculture, highlighting that non-target organisms can be significantly affected even when such products are considered safe under recommended conditions of use.

Key words: Oxidative balance alterations, Genotoxicity, Commercial formulations, Aquatic organisms, Pesticides
Language: Spanish

ARTICLE 3 – research

EFECTO GENOTÓXICO DE ANTIPARASITARIOS SELECCIONADOS EN Caiman latirostris

GENOTOXIC EFFECTS OF SELECTED ANTIPARASITIC DRUGS IN Caiman latirostris

Odetti L.M., López González E.C., Lorenzi A.C., Simoniello M.F., Poletta G.L.

The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is a reptile native to north-central Argentina and other countries in South America. Many populations are affected by habitat loss and modification associated with agricultural expansion. Livestock intensification has led to increased use of veterinary products, particularly antiparasitic drugs (APDs). These compounds may contaminate nearby soil and water bodies, posing a potential risk to caimans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential genotoxic effects of commercial formulations of albendazole, fenbendazole, and ivermectin in juvenile C. latirostris. A subchronic exposure was conducted over two months using 48 individuals, which were distributed into four treatments (12 individuals per group): a Negative Control (NC) treated with drinking water; a group exposed to albendazole (Zoovet 3.8%–20 ng/mL), another exposed to fenbendazole (Zoovet 5% – 20 ng/mL) and a group exposed to ivermectin (Zoovet 1% –10 ng/mL). At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from all individuals to assess genotoxicity through the micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities tests, as well as the comet assay (CA). The CA revealed significantly higher DNA damage in caimans exposed to ivermectin compared to NC. No significant differences were found for the other genotoxicity biomarkers in any of the exposed groups. This is the first study to assess the potential genotoxic effects of APDs in this reptile species. These findings highlight the potential environmental impact of ivermectin on ecosystems.

Key words: crocodiles, environmental contamination, veterinary pharmaceuticals, benzimidazoles, avermectins
Language: English

ARTICLE 4 – research

GENOTOXIC EFFECTS OF PESTICIDE EXPOSURE IN BRAZIL: A MULTI-TIER EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

EFECTOS GENOTÓXICOS DE LA EXPOSICIÓN A PESTICIDAS EN BRASIL: UNA SÍNTESIS DE EVIDENCIA EN MÚLTIPLES NIVELES.

Pimentel-Peralta G., Garcia A. L., Martins B., Siqueira Borges M., Dal Sasso Freitas R., Rabaioli da Silva F., da Silva J.

Brazil ranks among the world’s largest consumers of pesticides, with 907,564 tons of active ingredients sold in 2024. However, the implications of this widespread exposure for genomic instability remain insufficiently addressed in public health surveillance systems. This narrative review integrates evidence from our multi-institutional research program and the broader literature, combining in vitro, in vivo, and human biomonitoring data to characterize the genomic instability risk associated with agrochemical exposure in Brazil. In vitro studies show that commercial pesticide formulations are more genotoxic than isolated active ingredients, while herbicide mixtures, particularly glyphosate with 2,4-D or atrazine, induce supra-additive DNA damage. In vivo studies further demonstrate increased micronucleus frequency and DNA damage across multiple tissues at sub-toxic exposures, largely mediated by oxidative stress and impaired DNA repair. Human biomonitoring studies consistently report elevated biomarkers of genomic instability in exposed populations, including DNA strand breaks, micronuclei, telomere shortening, and epigenetic alterations. These effects are influenced by exposure duration, inadequate use of personal protective equipment, and genetic susceptibility. Environmental exposure through water, food, and pesticide drift extends these risks beyond occupational settings. Meta-analytical evidence confirms significantly increased DNA damage in exposed workers (SMD = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.69–2.35). Collectively, these findings indicate that agrochemical exposure acts as a driver of genomic instability and highlight the limitations of compound-based regulatory frameworks. The evidence supports the integration of genetic biomonitoring into public health systems and the adoption of risk assessment approaches that consider real-world mixture exposures.

Key words: agrochemicals, genotoxicity, dna damage, biomonitoring, pesticides
Language: English