In this study, we analyzed the effects of cadmium (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg per 100 g of nutrient) on total protein, lipid, and glycogen levels, lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and metal accumulation in Galleria mellonella L. High concentrations of Cd (20 and 40 mg) significantly lowered total protein, lipid, and glycogen levels. MDA level significantly increased when the nutrient contained 5 mg and more of Cd, whereas SOD activity significantly increased at Cd concentrations starting from 1.25 mg. CAT activity significantly decreased at all concentrations. Metal accumulation also significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. These changes observed on activity of antioxidant enzymes, energy reserves, MDA content, and accumulation levels of Cd can be used as a reliable biomarker of environmental heavy metal pollution in model insect G. mellonella.

In the present study, the effects of deltamethrin on cell-mediated immune response and genotoxic damage of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were investigated. Different concentrations of deltamethrin (5, 20, 50, 100, and 150 µg) were administered to G. mellonella at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Five types of hemocytes were identified in G. mellonella: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes, and oenocytes. Total hemocyte counts (THCs) were significantly affected by deltamethrin. At 72 h, THCs of the treated group had significantly decreased compared with the control groups at high deltamethrin concentrations (50, 100, and 150 µg); however, at 96 h, THCs had significantly increased at deltamethrin concentrations of 100 and 150 µg. Micronucleus formation was significantly affected by deltamethrin; in particular, high concentrations of deltamethrin (100 and 150 µg) caused an increase in micronucleus formation at all time points. We conclude that deltamethrin affected THCs and caused the induction of micronucleus formation via genotoxic damage in G. mellonella.

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To understand the effects of micronutrients have particular biological functions that are involved mainly in the antioxidant system, which has essential implications for the development of diseases, this study investigated how vitamin E, selenium, and their combination affect lipid, protein, carbohydrate, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content; antioxidant enzyme (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione-S-transferase [GST]) activity; and the total hemocyte count (THC) in larvae of Galleria mellonella L. fed different diets. Diet 1 (100 µg of selenium) significantly decreased carbohydrate and lipid content. Diets 2 (100 µg of vitamin E), 3 (100 µg of selenium and vitamin E each), and 5 (Tween 80) did not significantly affect protein and carbohydrate content. Diet 2 significantly increased the lipid content compared to diet 4 (control). Diet 1 increased CAT, SOD, and GST activity and MDA content (highest at 27.64 nmol/mg protein). Diet 2 significantly decreased SOD activity and MDA content compared to other diets. Diet 1 significantly decreased the THC compared to other diets. These results suggested that selenium changes oxidative stress parameters, energy reserves, and THC in G. mellonella. These changes could be a physiological adaptation against selenium-induced oxidative stress. Vitamin E could play a protective role in selenium toxicity. Trace elements play a significant role in many biochemical and physiological processes and therefore are essential for living organisms 1. Selenium (symbol Se), a trace element that is a major component of glutathione peroxidase, plays an important role in intracellular defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS), in addition to being essential for growth and development 2. However, high selenium levels can be toxic 3,4. The utility and toxicity of selenium depend on its chemical form and concentration; in its inorganic form (selenates, selenides, and selenite), selenium is more toxic and less useful compared to its organic forms (selenomethionine and selenocysteine). Excessive selenium levels have cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenetic effects due to ROS accumulation and increased oxidative stress 4,5. Cells use antioxidants to neutralize the harmful effects of ROS. Many of these antioxidants decrease DNA damage, decrease protein denaturation or loss, and prevent lipid peroxidation 6,7. In insects, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), ascorbic acid, and vitamin E are the most important components of the antioxidant defense mechanism 6. SOD is involved in the conversion of the superoxide radical (O 2 −) to H 2 O 2 , and the H 2 O 2 is eliminated by CAT and ascorbate peroxidase. GST is involved in eliminating H 2 O 2 from cells and lipid peroxidation agents 7,8 and also decreases the effects of toxins by binding xenobiotics to glutathione (GSH: γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine). GST is a member of the multifunctional phase II biotransformation multigene enzyme family that catalyzes the conjuga...

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