Endosulfan sulfate (Synonyms: Endosulfan III)

Endosulfan sulfate is a major metabolite of endosulfan, a broad-spectrum organochlorine insecticide.¹ Endosulfan sulfate is formed through oxidation of endosulfan by bacteria and fungi in the environment, where it is considered a persistent organic pollutant (POP). It accumulates in the liver and gonads of wild silverside fish (O. bonariensis) and is found in higher amounts in mature fish than pre-spawning fish.² Levels of endosulfan sulfate in the gills of mature O. bonariensis correlate with increased levels of lipid peroxidation. It is toxic to freshwater fish, including G. affinis, H. formosa, P. latipinna, and P. promelas, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 2.1 to 3.5 µg/L after a 96-hour exposure.³ Endosulfan sulfate is the main metabolite found in the liver of mice following endosulfan administration at doses of 0.3 and 3 mg/kg.⁴ It decreases the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, in the liver, but increases MDA in the kidney when administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg.

1.Kataoka, R., and Takagi, K.Biodegradability and biodegradation pathways of endosulfan and endosulfan sulfateAppl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.97(8)3285-3292(2013) 2.Barni, M.F.Assessment of persistent organic pollutants accumulation and lipid peroxidation in two reproductive stages of wild silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis)Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.9945-53(2014) 3.Carriger, J.F., Hoang, T.C., Rand, G.M., et al.Acute toxicity and effects analysis of endosulfan sulfate to freshwater fish speciesArch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.60(2)281-289(2011) 4.Yan, J., Wang, D., Miao, J., et al.Discrepant effects of α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate on oxidative stress and energy metabolism in the livers and kidneys of miceChemosphere205223-233(2018)