Gallegos_2023_Pestic.Biochem.Physiol_189_105315

Among the most relevant environmental factors associated with the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders are pesticides. Spray drift or volatilization generates pesticide dispersion after its application. In addition, inhalation or intranasal (IN) administration of xenobiotics constitutes a feasible route for substance delivery to the brain. This study investigates the behavioral and neurochemical effects of IN exposure to a commercial formulation of chlorpyrifos (fCPF). Adult male CF-1 mice were intranasally administered with fCPF (3-10smg/kg/day) three days a week, for 2sweeks. Behavioral and biochemical analyses were conducted 20 and 30sdays after the last IN fCPF administration, respectively. No significant behavioral or biochemical effects were observed in the 3smg/kg fCPF IN exposure group. However, animals exposed to 10smg/kg fCPF showed anxiogenic behavior and recognition memory impairment, with no effects on locomotor activity. In addition, the IN administration of 10smg/kg fCPF altered the redox balance, modified the activity of enzymes belonging to the cholinergic and glutamatergic pathways, and affected glucose metabolism, and cholesterol levels in different brain areas. Taken together, these observations suggest that these biochemical imbalances could be responsible for the neurobehavioral disturbances observed after IN administration of fCPF in mice.