Hepatotoxicity of the Pesticide Avermectin Exposure to Freshwater-Farmed Carp: Evidence from In Vivo and In Vitro Research

Avermectin (AVM) is presently one of the most extensively employed insecticides across the globe. A number of toxicity research studies of AVM have been carried out in freshwater-farmed carp; however, there are currently no toxicity studies on the liver. This investigation aims to replicate an acute liver injury model induced by AVM in carp, subsequently analyzing the adverse effects imposed on the nontarget species while delving into potential mechanisms underlying its toxicity. In this study, we found that AVM-exposed carp liver tissue showed cellular hydration degeneration and necrosis and reduced the viability of hepatocyte L8824. Second, AVM induced oxidative stress in carp, and AVM stimulation led to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and Ca2+ overload in hepatocyte L8824, suggesting that AVM exposure induces mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes. AVM induced inflammation in carp liver tissue by inducing mitochondrial kinetic disruption, which triggered hepatic tissue injury. AVM induced autophagy and apoptosis in carp liver tissue and ROS mediated AVM-induced autophagy and apoptosis. The formation of autophagy attenuated the AVM-induced liver injury. In conclusion, the present study elucidated the hepatotoxicity and potential mechanisms of freshwater aquaculture carp exposed to the pesticide AVM, emphasized the importance of monitoring pesticide AVM contamination in freshwater aquaculture aquatic environments, and provided theoretical references for the targeted prevention of AVM-induced toxicity in carp.