A Common Feature of Pesticides: Oxidative Stress—The Role of Oxidative Stress in Pesticide-Induced Toxicity

Figure 3

Schematic diagram of the mechanism by which pesticides affect DNA damage and mitochondrial function. Pesticides induce inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-11, and IL-1β) and caspases that inhibit growth hormone (GH) thereby causing reproductive and birth defects in humans. Phosphorylation of the C terminal of STAT1 at residue 727 enhances the activity of other factors such as p53 that leads to DNA damage. Together with the action of DNA topoisomerase II, these molecules can cause DNA damage and eventually apoptosis. Pesticides can also induce NOXs and O₂^•− and result in an increase in ROS that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and activates the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. _•OH may also be causing mitochondrial stress. : mitochondrial membrane potential.