Mipafox had a lower IC50 value for the hen brain and for the SH-SY5Y cells when compared to the isoforms of methamidophos ( Fig. 2H and Table 2). Comparing the results of IC50 values for both species, it was possible to see check details that human cells (SH-SY5Y and lymphocytes) are more sensitive to the methamidophos enantiomers compared to tissues from hens. This was not true, however, for mipafox, as hen brain was more sensitive than SH-SY5Y cells ( Fig. 2H). The curves of inhibition for AChE in the brain of hens are depicted in Fig. 2D and indicate that the isoform (−)-methamidophos

was a more potent enzyme inhibitor than the (+)-methamidophos form. Human AChE in SH-SY5Y cells and erythrocytes (Fig. 2B and F) presented similar behavior to that of AChE in hen brains with the (−)-methamidophos form a more potent inhibitor than the (+)-methamidophos. The (+)-methamidophos isomer AZD6244 cell line exhibited an IC50 value approximately 7 times greater than that of the (−)-methamidophos isomer for the inhibition of AChE in hen brain (Table 2). The lines of the log of percentage activity

versus inhibitor concentration demonstrated strong inverse regression coefficients in all tissue tested ( Table 2). Mipafox was used as a known inducer of OPIDN and presented a lower IC50 value for the chicken brain and an intermediate IC50 value for the SH-SY5Y Sulfite dehydrogenase cells compared to the isoforms of methamidophos ( Fig. 2H and Table 2). Comparing the results of IC50 values for both species, it was noted that human cells (SH-SY5Y and erythrocytes) are more sensitive to the compounds tested in relation to hen tissues. These results are summarized in Table 2. The ratios of enzyme IC50 values presented in Table 2 show that the isoforms of methamidophos are stronger inhibitors for AChE than NTE. On the other hand, mipafox is a stronger inhibitor of NTE. Calpain activation was evaluated in hen brain and in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Although

(+)-methamidophos exposure resulted in a small calpain activation, neither enantiomer of methamidophos was able to produce activation of calpain statistically different from control. In contrast, mipafox was able to induce a 5% increase in the calpain activity in hen brain and a 15% increase in the human cells (Fig. 3). The results of the present study demonstrated differences between the enantiomers of methamidophos in their ability to inhibit both NTE and AChE. This study also demonstrated that these differences could be determined in vitro. Enantioseparation has become an important tool in the discernment of the actual toxic agent responsible for a particular purpose. However, when neurotoxicity studies in animals require large quantities of the compounds in question, an initial in vitro screening is useful.