Journal of Southern Medical University ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 893-900.doi: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2025.05.01

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Role of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in cypermethrin-induced oxidative injury of mice hippocampal neurons

Lihua ZHOU(), Xun ZHANG, Yingying YU, Panpan ZHANG   

  1. School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, China
  • Received:2024-11-01 Online:2025-05-20 Published:2025-05-23
  • Contact: Lihua ZHOU E-mail:zhoulihuaby@sina.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(81703227)

Abstract:

Objective To explore whether the antioxidant axis Nrf2/HO-1 is involved in the regulation of hippocampus injury induced by cypermethrin and its underlying mechanism. Methods Ten-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and cypermethrin exposure groups with low, medium, and high exposure levels. After 21 days of oral gavage of corn oil (control) or cypermethrin, the levels of MDA, T-SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in the hippocampus of the mice were examined to evaluate the oxidative stress levels. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes of the hippocampal neurons. Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR were employed to detect the protein expressions and mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and HO-1. Results Subacute oral exposure to cypermethrin significantly increased MDA level, decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes T-SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, and induced neuronal damage in the CA1 and CA3 regions in the hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice. Cypermethrin exposure also caused Nrf2 protein translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, accompanied by upregulated expression levels of the key antioxidant factor Nrf2 and its downstream target kinase HO-1. Conclusion Cypermethrin exposure dose-dependently causes oxidative damage in the hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice, which is regulated by the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway.

Key words: cypermethrin, pyrethroid insecticide, hippocampus, Nrf2/HO-1