In the present study four different cell cultures, derived from rabbit kidney (RK13), rat, and murine liver (WBF344 and Hepa 1c1c7) and insect origin (Sf21) were used to examine the effects of chlorpyrifos. Sf21 cells were the most sensitive to chlorpyrifos, with significant suppression of their proliferative activity ranging from 10^-1-10^-5 M. However, significant suppression of proliferative activity also was recorded in mammalian cell cultures Hepa 1c1c7 (10^-1-10^-3 M), WBF344 (10^-1-10^-2 M), and RK13 (10^-1 M). A cytopathic effect and LDH leakage into the medium was observed in RK 13 (10^-1-10^-3 M) > WBF344 and Hepa 1c1c7 cells (10^-1-10^-2 M) > Sf21 (10^-1 M) compared to solvent control.
Our results indicate that chlorpyrifos exposure caused a species-dependent decrease in cell proliferation and cell membrane damage.