Dysfunction of a key enzyme in the respiratory chain, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), is linked to many illnesses for humans. Various pesticides used in agriculture are effective due to their ability to inhibit the SDH activity of parasitic fungi, known as SDH inhibitors or SDHI.
French researchers have discovered that eight SDHI pesticide molecules distributed in France also block SDH in earthworms, bees, and human cells to varying degrees. Lead researcher, Pierre Rustin, Senior Researchers Emeritus at the CNRS, demonstrated that the SDH of 22 different species is similar, especially in areas targeted by SDHIs. Researchers demonstrated that the conditions of regulatory testing for toxicity taking place today masks a very significant effect that SDHIs have on human cells. The pesticides induce oxidative stress in cells, leading to cell death. Their study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.