Description
Abamectin is a macrocyclic lactone avermectin, produced from the soil organism streptomyes avermitilis, that exhibits antibiotic and anti-fertility activities. Abamectin inhibits F0F1-ATPase and the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), preventing mitochondrial respiration and acting as an anti-parasitic/anti-helminthic. Additionally, abamectin decreases sperm count and motility and increases seminiferous tubule damage in male rats. This compound also inhibits GABA receptors in some models; other avermectins increase GABA release, indirectly stimulating activity of GABA receptors.
References
Castanha Zanoli JC, Maioli MA, Medeiros HC, et al. Abamectin affects the bioenergetics of liver mitochondria: A potential mechanism of hepatotoxicity. Toxicol In Vitro. 2012 Feb;26(1):51-6. PMID: 22024101.
Celik-Ozenci C, Tasatargil A, Tekcan M, et al. Effects of abamectin exposure on male fertility in rats: potential role of oxidative stress-mediated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2011 Dec;61(3):310-7. PMID: 21945325.
Holden-Dye L, Walker RJ. Avermectin and avermectin derivatives are antagonists at the 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor on the somatic muscle cells of Ascaris; is this the site of anthelmintic action? Parasitology. 1990 Oct;101 Pt 2:265-71. PMID: 2175874.
