ABSTRACT
In general, tropical rivers have a great impact on human activities. Bioaccumulation of toxins is a worldwide problem nowadays and has been, historically, overlooked by the supervisory authorities. This study evaluated cytogenotoxic effects of Guaribas river (a Brazilian river) water during dry and rainy seasons of 2014 by using the Allium cepa test system. The toxicogenetic variables, including root growth, mitotic index, and chromosomal aberrations, were analyzed in meristematic cells of A. cepa exposed to water samples taken from the up-, within, and downstream of the city Picos (state: Piauí). The physical-chemical parameters were also analyzed to explain water quality and possible anthropogenic action. Additionally, the presence of heavy metals was also analyzed to explain water quality and possible damaging effects on eukaryotic cells. The results suggest that the river water exerted cytotoxic, mutagenic, and genotoxic effects, regardless of the seasons. In addition, Guaribas river presented physico-chemical values outside the Brazilian laws, which can be a characteristic of human pollution (domestic sewage, industrial, and local agriculture). The genetic damage was positively correlated with higher levels of heavy metals. The pollution of the Guaribas river water may link to the chemical contamination, including the action of heavy metals and their impacts on genetic instability in the aquatic ecosystem. In conclusion, necessary steps should be taken into account for further toxicogenetic studies of the Guaribas river water, as it has an influence in human health of the same region of Brazil.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Brazil , DNA Damage , Ecosystem , Humans , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Metals, Heavy/toxicity , Mutagens/toxicity , Onions/drug effects , Rain , Rivers/chemistry , Seasons , Sewage , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Water QualityABSTRACT
River pollution in Brazil is significant. This study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and genotoxic profiles of the Guaribas river water, located in Northeast Brazil (State of Piauí, Brazil). The study conducted during the dry and wet seasons to understand the frequency of pollution throughout the year. Genotoxicity analysis was done with the blood of Oreochromis niloticus by using the comet assay. Water samples were collected from upstream, within and downstream the city Picos. The results suggest a significant (p < 0.05) genotoxic effect of the Guaribas river water when compared to the control group. In comparison to the control group, in the river water we found a significant increase in metals such as - Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu and Al. In conclusion, Guaribas river carries polluted water, especially a large quantity of toxic metals, which may impart the genotoxic effect.
Subject(s)
DNA Damage , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Rivers , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Aluminum/analysis , Animals , Brazil , Chromium/analysis , Cichlids/genetics , Cities , Comet Assay , Copper/analysis , Erythrocytes/drug effects , Geography , Heavy Metal Poisoning , Poisoning , Rain , Seasons , Spectrophotometry , Water Pollution/analysis , Zinc/analysisABSTRACT
Cashew apple juice and cajuina (processed juice) are drinks widely consumed in northeast Brazil. In vitro studies have shown that both juices have antimutagenic activity as well as antioxidant effects. These juices contain vitamins, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. This in vivo study assessed the antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic effects of both drinks against genotoxicity and mutagenicity induced by cyclophosphamide. The comet, micronucleus, and chromosome aberrations tests were used. Male Swiss mice were divided into 6 groups (5 animals per group) and received the following by gavage, 0.15 mL/10 g body weight: group 1, water; group 2, cashew apple juice; group 3, cajuina juice; group 4, cashew apple juice and cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg); group 5, cajuina juice and cyclophosphamide; group 6: cyclophosphamide. Both drinks significantly reduced DNA damage of peripheral blood cells (P<.001), with modulation percentages of 60.82% (cashew apple juice) and 82.19% (cajuina) when compared with the cyclophosphamide group. Cashew apple juice and cajuina modulated cyclophosphamide-induced micronucleus frequency, with up to 80.0% inhibition. Cashew apple juice and cajuina decreased the average number of cells with chromosome aberrations in bone marrow of mice by 53% and 65%, respectively. These findings demonstrate the high antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic potential of cashew apple juice and cajuina in vivo, which can be related to the antioxidant compounds found in both drinks.
