Response of hepatic biochemical parameters and neurotoxicity to carbamazepine and ibuprofen in Oreochromis mossambicus.

Globally, the prevalence and pollution of pharmaceutical drugs in aquatic environments have been steadily increasing. This study sought to evaluate the effects of 14 days of exposure to environmental-relevant doses (ibuprofen 0.5, 5, and 50 µg/L, and carbamazepine 0.005, 1, and 10 µg/L) of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and carbamazepine in the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in O. mossambicus superoxide dismutase, catalase, biotransformation enzymes, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, oxidative stress lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl activity, cellular damage metallothionine, reduced glutathione, immunological activities, and respiratory burst activity. Consequently, the acquired data revealed that O. mossambicus treated with ibuprofen and carbamazepine shows more significant alterations in metabolic depression, biochemical parameters, and oxidative stress. In addition, increased neurotoxic effects were observed in ibuprofen and carbamazepine treated O. mossambicus.

Long-term exposure to antifouling biocide chlorothalonil modulates immunity and biochemical and antioxidant parameters in the blood of olive flounder.

In this study, the potential effects of 30-day exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of chlorothalonil (0, 5, 10, and 20 µg L-l) were tested in the blood of the economically important olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, using biochemical endpoints. Significant decreases in the enzymatic activities of immunity markers, alternative complements, and lysozymes were detected in the fish exposed to 10 or 20 µg L-l of chlorothalonil at day 20 or 30. The total immunoglobulin content was lowered in response to 20 µg L-l chlorothalonil at day 10 and 20, even when later exposed to 5 µg L-l at day 30. Among the essential blood components, the cortisol level was increased in response to chlorothalonil throughout the study with a decrease in white blood cells, while no changes were observed in hemoglobin, red blood cells, total protein concentration, and glucose in all exposures. The enzymatic activities of the three hepatic toxicity markers, alanine transferases, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, increased by 10 and/or 20 µg L-l of chlorothalonil. Significant oxidative stress was induced by chlorothalonil in the fish exposed to 10 or 20 µg L-l of chlorothalonil, as revealed by increased malondialdehyde and fluctuating glutathione levels with increase in the enzymatic activities of antioxidant defense system, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, during exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of chlorothalonil can affect susceptibility to pathogens through immunosuppression, hepatic toxicity, and oxidative stress in olive flounder. These results can contribute to the monitoring of aquatic environments and ecotoxicological research through the measurement of blood components against waterborne chlorothalonil.

Benzo[a]pyrene constrains embryo development via oxidative stress induction and modulates the transcriptional responses of molecular biomarkers in the marine medaka Oryzias javanicus.

Embryos from the marine medaka fish Oryzias javanicus were treated with eight concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 20 µg L--1) after they had been fertilized. Significant mortality and hatching delays were detected in embryos that had been exposed to 10 and 20 µg L-1 BaP for 4 weeks. The mortality rate after hatching was higher in the medaka that had been previously exposed to > 2 µg L-1 BaP. Significant elevations in intracellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde contents were measured and the mRNA expressions of the antioxidant defense system genes (gst, sod, cat, and gpx) increased in the embryos exposed to 10 and 20 µg L-1 BaP for 1 week. The hsp70, ahr, and cyp1a transcriptional responses were also significantly upregulated in the exposed groups after 1 week. The alterations to the in vivo parameters and molecular components suggested that waterborne BaP had a toxic effect on marine medaka embryos. Finally, fin defects, spinal curvature, and cardiac edema were highly induced when the embryos were exposed to > 5 µg L-1 BaP.

Waterborne zinc pyrithione modulates immunity, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters in the blood of olive flounder.

In this study, potential immunological and hematological effects of different concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 50 µg L-l) of waterborne zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) were studied in the blood of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus over 30 days. Reduced alternative complement activity (ACH50) and lysozyme activity were measured in fish exposed to 10 and/or 50 µg L-l of ZnPT for 20 days. Decreased levels of total Ig were also observed in response to 10 and/or 50 µg L-l ZnPT during the exposure period. Levels of cortisol, a marker of stress, were significantly increased by 10 and 50 µg L-l ZnPT from day 10, and by 1 µg L-l exposure on day 30. The levels of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) decreased following exposure to 10 and/or 50 µg L-l ZnPT, while no significant change was observed in hemoglobin level. Concentrations of total protein and albumin were significantly reduced with 50 µg L-l ZnPT at day 20. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly increased following exposure to 10 and/or 50 µg L-l ZnPT. Lipid peroxidation was induced by ZnPT, and higher concentrations (10 and 50 µg L-l) significantly increased intracellular malondialdehyde levels during exposure. Regarding the subsequent antioxidant response, intracellular glutathione levels increased significantly in response to 10 and 50 µg L-l ZnPT on days 20 and 30. Similarly, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased in response to 10 and 50 µg L-l ZnPT after day 10. Taken together, changes in the studied parameters suggested the immunotoxicity of ZnPT, with modulations observed in hematological homeostasis and oxidative stress induction in the blood of olive flounder.

Waterborne manganese modulates immunity, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters in the blood of red seabream and black rockfish.

Immunotoxic effects of manganese (Mn) were investigated in the blood of the economically important marine fish, red seabream (Pagrus major) and black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) when exposed to different concentrations of Mn (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg L-1) for 14 days. During exposure, the levels of alternative complement activity in both fish were significantly lowered at 2 mg L-1 of Mn of exposure. Lysozyme activity was significantly decreased in black rockfish in all concentrations of Mn after 14 days, while in red seabream, the decrease was significant with concentrations of 1 and 2 mg L-1 of Mn after 7 and 14 days of exposure. A significantly low level was observed only in the 2 mg L-1-exposed red seabream on day 14 of exposure. The concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, and total serum proteins were significantly decreased in both fish under exposure to 1 and 2 mg L-1 of Mn, while cortisol, alanine transferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased compared to the levels of control groups. No significant change was found in serum glucose and albumin except in red seabream exposed to 2 mg L-1 of Mn for 14 days. The responses of the antioxidant defense system were significantly induced in both fish after exposure to 1 and 2 mg L-1 of Mn on day 7 and 14 of exposure. Taken together, alterations of these parameters suggest the immunotoxicity of waterborne Mn produced by the modulation of hematological components and the induction of oxidative stress in the blood of these marine fish.

Long-term exposure to waterborne nonylphenol alters reproductive physiological parameters in economically important marine fish.

Low concentrations of nonylphenol (NP) in aquatic environment can induce drastic effects on the endocrine system in animals. In this study, we examined the modulatory effects of NP on reproductive and physiological parameters in juveniles of the red seabream and black rockfish following waterborne NP exposure (0, 1, 10, and 50 µg L-1) for 60 days. In red seabream exposed to 50 µg L-1 NP, plasma levels of 17ß-estradiol (E2) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were significantly lower at 30 and 60 days, while E2 levels were slightly higher in 10 µg L-1-exposed individuals at day 30. Similarly, significantly lower levels of E2 and 11-KT were observed in 10 and 50 µg L-1-exposed black rockfish at 60 days, whereas the E2 level was higher in 1 µg L-1-exposed individuals at day 30. After exposure to NP, plasma and mRNA levels of vitellogenin (VTG) were significantly higher in both species at 30 and 60 days, similar to the inducible effects from synthetic estrogen. Plasma cortisol levels were significantly elevated by relatively higher concentrations of NP (10 and 50 µg L-1) at 30 and 60 days. Finally, 60 days of exposure of 50 µg L-1 NP significantly decreased the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and increased the hepatosomatic index (HSI) in both species. The results obtained from this study provide an evidence of the endocrine disrupting potential of waterborne NP on early stages of economically important marine fish. The NP-triggered endocrine modulation can induce effects on the development of reproductive and metabolic organs in fish species.

Exposure to sublethal concentrations of tributyltin reduced survival, growth, and 20-hydroxyecdysone levels in a marine mysid.

Tributyltin (TBT) is as an antifouling organotin compound used in boat paints. Although organotin-based antifouling agents have been banned on a global scale, the mode of action of TBT has been studied in numerous aquatic species because of its toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and endocrine-disrupting characteristics. In this study, we conducted 96-h acute toxicity tests wherein we exposed juvenile and adult marine mysids to waterborne TBT. Over 4 weeks of exposure, mortality was dose-dependently increased in juveniles and adult mysids. To test sublethal effects of TBT on juvenile development, newborn juvenile mysids were exposed to 1, 5, or 10 ng L-1 TBT for 4 weeks. Subsequently, we measured morphological growth parameters and quantified the hormone ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone: 20E), which controls molting in mysids. The lengths of the whole body, antennal scale, exopod, endopod, and telson were significantly smaller in the 5 and/or 10 ng L-1 TBT-exposed juvenile mysids than in control and DMSO-exposed groups. Levels of 20E were significantly lower at 5 and 10 ng L-1 TBT exposures. Additionally, the number of newly hatched juveniles was significantly lower from females previously exposed to 10 ng L-1 TBT. Our results indicate sublethal concentrations of TBT have inhibitory effects on the survival, growth, and production of juveniles. The lower 20E levels could be strongly associated with TBT-triggered inhibition.

Toxicological effects of clofibric acid and diclofenac on plasma thyroid hormones of an Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala during short and long-term exposures.

In the present investigation, the toxicity of most commonly detected pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment namely clofibric acid (CA) and diclofenac (DCF) was investigated in an Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala. Fingerlings of C. mrigala were exposed to different concentrations (1, 10 and 100µgL(-1)) of CA and DCF for a period of 96h (short term) and 35 days (long term). The toxic effects of CA and DCF on thyroid hormones (THs) such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were evaluated. During the short and long-term exposure period TSH level was found to be decreased at all concentrations of CA (except at the end of 14(th) day in 1 and 10µgL(-l) and 21(st) day in 1µgL(-l)) whereas in DCF exposed fish TSH level was found to be increased when compared to control groups. T4 level was found to be decreased at 1 and 100µgL(-l) of CA exposure at the end of 96h. However, T4 level was decreased at all concentrations of CA and DCF during long-term (35 days) exposure period. Fish exposed to all concentrations of CA and DCF had lower level of T3 in both the treatments. These results suggest that both CA and DCF drugs induced significant changes (P<0.01 and P<0.05) on thyroid hormonal levels of C. mrigala. The alterations of these hormonal levels can be used as potential biomarkers in monitoring of pharmaceutical drugs in aquatic organisms.

Alteration in certain enzymological parameters of an Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala exposed to short- and long-term exposure of clofibric acid and diclofenac.

The extensive use of pharmaceuticals in human and veterinary medicine may enter the aquatic environment and pose a serious threat to non-target aquatic organisms like fish. In this study, Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala was exposed to different concentrations (1, 10 and 100 µg L⁻¹) of most commonly used pharmaceutical drugs clofibric acid (CA) and diclofenac (DCF) to evaluate its impacts on certain enzymological parameters during short- and long-term exposures. During short-term (96 h) exposure period, plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity were significantly altered at all concentrations of both the CA- and DCF-treated fish. In long-term exposure (35 days), gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was found to be significantly increased at all concentration of CA and DCF exposures throughout the study period (except at the end of 7th day in 10 and 100 µg L⁻¹) . However, a biphasic trend was observed in plasma GOT and GPT activity when compared to the control groups. In both short- and long-term exposure, a significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) changes were observed in all enzymological parameters of fish C. mrigala exposed to different concentrations of CA and DCF. The alterations of these enzymological parameters can be effectively used as potential biomarkers in monitoring of pharmaceutical toxicity in aquatic environment and organisms.

Ecotoxicological impacts of clofibric acid and diclofenac in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings: hematological, biochemical, ionoregulatory and enzymological responses.

Investigation on the toxic effects of pharmaceutical drugs namely clofibric acid (CA) and diclofenac (DCF) were studied in a common carp Cyprinus carpio at different concentrations such as 1, 10 and 100 µg L(-1) for a short-term period of 96 h under static bioassay method. At all concentrations, red blood cell (RBC), plasma sodium (Na(+)), potassium (K(+)), and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) levels were decreased in fish treated with CA and DCF. Contrastingly, white blood cell (WBC), plasma glucose, protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase level were increased. However, a mixed trend was observed in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), plasma chloride (Cl(-)), mean cellular volume (MCV), mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH), mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels. There was a significant (P<0.01 and P<0.05) change in all parameters measured in fish exposed to different concentrations of CA and DCF. In summary, the alterations in hematological, biochemical, ionoregulatory and enzymological parameters can be used as biomarkers in monitoring the toxicity of CA and DCF in aquatic environment. However, more detailed studies on using of specific biomarkers to monitor the human pharmaceuticals are needed.

Impact of endosulfan on certain hematological and biochemical parameters of catfish Labeo fimbriatus: sublethal study.

Hematological and biochemical parameters are routinely used as indicators of the physiological or sublethal stress response to endogenous or exogenous changes in fish. In this work, the sublethal toxic effects of endosulfan (0.002 mg l⁻¹) on certain hematological and biochemical parameters of Labeo fimbriatus were examined for 28 days and the analyses were made on 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Endosulfan caused significant lower value of red blood corpuscles (RBC), hemoglobin, plasma glucose, and protein levels when compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). However, white blood corpuscles (WBC) increased throughout the study period. The results indicate that a low amount of endosulfan alters the hematological and biochemical parameters of fish, which can be useful in diagnosing the structural and functional status of fish exposed to toxicants.