In this study, adult snails, Helix aspersa were used to estimate the effect of aneonicotinoid insecticide (thiametoxam) on biochemical parameters and histological changes in the hepatopancreas of this gastropod after a treatment of six weeks. During this period, snails were exposed by ingestion and contact to fresh lettuce leaves which were soaked with an insecticide solution. The thiametoxam test solutions were 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L. The results of the biochemical dosages (total carbohydrates, total proteins and total lipids) showed significant decreases at two concentrations (100 and 200 mg/L) of thiametoxam. However, the histological examination of the hepatopancreas of the treated snails showed alterations as a response to all the treatments, and revealed the degeneration of the digestive tubules and the breakdown of the basement membrane in a dose-dependent manner, leading to a severe deterioration of the tissues in the concentration of 200 mg/L thiametoxam. The dosage of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins supported by the study of histological changes on the hepatopancreas of H. aspersa can be considered as potential biomarkers of exposure to thiametoxam.

Introduction. Tartrazine is an azofood additive widely used in the pharmaceu-cal, cosmetic, food, and other industries. Objective. To assess the effects of tartrazineon the attitude to move and to eat, and histological changes in digestive, and renal sys-tem, after an acute treatment on a biological model the snail Helix aspersa. Material and Methods. Snails were exposed orally, and by contact to flour contaminated with this dye for 24 hours. Adult snails were divided into two groups of 20 animals each. The control group fed flour alone. The experimental group was administered orally with flour treated with tartrazine (200mg/g flour). Results. The observation of behaviour revealed inhibitory effects of tartrazine on locomotion, and nutrition of snails. Histolo-gical examination of intestines, hepatopancreas, and kidney of treated animals showed altered tissue structures, with advanced degeneration of digestive tubules, connective tissue, and smooth muscle fibers of the walls surrounding the three organs, in response to tartrazine, compared to controls. Conclusion. This study suggests that acute exposure to tartrazine may lead to disorders in locomotor, and nutritional behavior, in addition to tissue alterations. Therefore, this study on behavior, supported by histological changes in H. Aspersa can be used as potential biomarkers of exposure to other azodyes.