Protective action of Omega-3 on paraquat intoxication in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACTParaquat (PQ) (1,1ʹ-dimethyl-4-4ʹ-bipyridinium dichloride) is the second most widely used herbicide worldwide; however, in countries different sales and distribution remain restricted. Chronic exposure to PQ leads to several diseases related to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions including myocardial failure, cancer, and neurodegeneration and subsequently death depending upon the dose level. The aim of this study was to examine if diet supplementation with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA, omega-3 long-chain fatty acids) serves a protective mechanism against neuromuscular dysfunctions mediated by PQ using Drosophila melanogaster as a model with focus on mitochondrial metabolism. PQ ingestion (170 mg/kg b.w. for 3 d) resulted in a decreased life span and climbing ability in D. melanogaster. In the brain, PQ increased thioflavin fluorescence and reduced either 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) nuclei staining and neuronal nuclei protein (NeuN) po...