Co-exposure effects of lead and TiO2 nanoparticles in primary kidney cell culture from the freshwater fish Hoplias malabaricus.

This study evaluated the effects of Lead (Pb) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) alone or in combination in anterior kidney macrophages of the freshwater fish Hoplias malabaricus, naïve or stimulated with 1 ng.mL-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pb (1 ×10-5 to 1 ×10-1 mg.mL-1) or TiO2 NPs (1.5 ×10-6 to 1.5 ×10-2 mg.mL-1) reduced cell viability despite LPS stimulation, especially Pb 10-1 mg.mL-1. In combination, lower concentrations of NPs intensified Pb-induced cell viability reduction while higher concentrations restored the cell viability independently of LPS stimulation. Basal and LPS- induced NO production was reduced by both TiO2 NPs and Pb isolated. The combination of both xenobiotics avoided this reduction of NO production by the isolated compounds at lower concentrations but the protective effect was lost as the concentrations increased. None xenobiotic increase DNA fragmentation. Therefore, at specific conditions, TiO2 NPs may have a protective effect over Pb toxicity, may also provide additional toxicity at higher concentrations.

The wound healing effect of aqueous extract from Piper amalago L. in diabetic patient.

Diabetes patients present a complex healing process due to several factors directly linked to their pathology. The use of medicinal plants that aid in tissue repair can bring great benefits to such individuals. This case report describes how the topical application of the aqueous extract produced from the leaves of Piper amalago L. was used to aid the healing of a lacerated wound in the left thumb of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aqueous extract of the leaves of Piper amalago L. was prepared in boiling water. During the boiling process the dried leaves were submerged in the boiling water and left for five min. The injured thumb was submerged in the solution and the leaves were placed on the injury. The action of the aqueous extract obtained from the leaves of P. amalago was shown to be promising in the healing of a wound in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The topical application of the aqueous extract produced from the leaves of P. amalago assisted in the healing of a lacerated wound in the left thumb of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus over a period of 15 days.

Effects of low concentrations of ibuprofen on freshwater fish Rhamdia quelen.

Ibuprofen is a pharmaceutical drug widely used by the global population and it has been found in aquatic ecosystems in several countries. This study evaluated the effects of ibuprofen in environmental concentrations (0, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/L) on the freshwaterspecies Rhamdia quelen exposed for 14 days. In the posterior kidney, ibuprofen increased glutathione-S-transferase activity in all groups exposed. Furthermore, increased glutathione peroxidase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione in the group exposed to 10 µg/L. Ibuprofen decreased the carbonic anhydrase activity in the posterior kidney in all exposed groups, and increased the activity in the gills in group exposed to 0.1 µg/L. The levels of plasma magnesium increased in groups exposed to 0.1 and 1 µg/L. In the blood, ibuprofen decreased the white blood cell count in groups exposed to 0.1 e 1.0 µg/L. Therefore, these results indicated that ibuprofen caused nephrotoxicity and demonstrated immunosuppressive effect in Rhamdia quelen.

Paracetamol causes endocrine disruption and hepatotoxicity in male fish Rhamdia quelen after subchronic exposure.

Paracetamol is one of the most widely sold non-prescription drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the paracetamol on reproductive, biochemical, genetic, histopathological and hematogical biomarkers by waterborne exposure. Male fish of Rhamdia quelen were exposed to environmental concentrations of paracetamol (0, 0.25, 2.5µg/L) in a semi-static bioassay for 21days. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were reduced upon exposure to 0.25µg/L of paracetamol. Leukocytes and thrombocytes increased after paracetamol exposure. Paracetamol reduced testosterone levels in all exposed groups and increased estradiol levels at higher concentration. Serotonin and dopamine levels increased at exposure to 0.25µg/L. Paracetamol also caused protein carbonyls and increased SOD activity in fish exposed to 2.5µg/L and in addition led to an inhibition of EROD and GST activities in both concentrations. Hepatic genotoxicity occurred at the 0.25µg/L concentration. Hepatic tissues of exposed fish showed mild blood congestion and leucocytes infiltration. The results showed that paracetamol disrupted the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, changed hematological parameters and caused hepatotoxicity in Rhamdia quelen. The findings suggest that this drug merits attention relative to its potential endocrine disrupter effect and hepatotoxicity, even at concentrations found in the aquatic environment.

Effects of trophic exposure to diclofenac and dexamethasone on hematological parameters and immune response in freshwater fish.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of diclofenac and dexamethasone on hematological parameters and immune response in the fish species Hoplias malabaricus after trophic exposure. Fish were fed twice every week with Astyanax sp., which were given an intraperitoneal inoculation with diclofenac (0 µg/kg, 0.2 µg/kg, 2.0 µg/kg, or 20.0 µg/kg) or dexamethasone (0.03 µg/kg, 0.3 µg/kg, or 3.0 µg/kg). After 12 doses, the hematological parameters and lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production by head kidney monocytic lineage were evaluated. Exposed fish also received 1 mg/kg of carrageenan intraperitoneal, and cell migration to the peritoneal cavity was evaluated after 4 h. Diclofenac and dexamethasone altered the red blood cell count, as well as hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. The total blood leukocyte count decreased in all groups. A significantly reduced carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity, particularly of polymorphonuclear cells, was observed at all tested doses, suggesting a possible immunosuppressive effect. The basal nitric oxide synthesis of head kidney cell cultures was reduced at the highest dose of diclofenac and was increased at the highest dose of dexamethasone. The lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production was reduced in all treatments, thus corroborating the immunosuppressive effect. Although some fish responses were variable for different drugs, the results suggested that trophic exposure to diclofenac and dexamethasone can lead to hematological changes and immunotoxic effects, causing negative impacts in aquatic organisms.

Evaluation of Biochemical, Genetic and Hematological Biomarkers in a Commercial Catfish Rhamdia quelen Exposed to Diclofenac.

Juveniles Rhamdia quelen fish species were exposed to diclofenac for 96 h at concentrations of 0.2, 2, and 20 µg/L. Biochemical, genetic, and hematological biomarkers were assessed in the liver, kidney, and blood in order to evaluate the toxic effects. No oxidative stress was observed in liver. In kidney the superoxide dismutase activity increased in all concentrations, suggesting an alteration in the hydrogen peroxide production, but DNA damage and lipid peroxidation were not detected. Diclofenac exposure increased the red blood cells number at concentrations of 0.2 and 2 µg/L, and monocytes and neutrophils at 2 and 20 µg/L, respectively. These results suggest that acute exposure to diclofenac, even at low concentrations, caused hematologic and renal enzymatic alterations in R. quelen.

Effects of trophic exposure to dexamethasone and diclofenac in freshwater fish.

Steroidal and non-steroidalanti-inflammatories are pharmaceutical prescribed in human medicine and have the potential to contaminate water and sediments via inputs from sewage treatment plants. Their impacts on humans and ecosystems are emerging issues in environmental health. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of diclofenac and dexamethasone in male fish Hoplias malabaricus after trophic exposure. Fish were fed twice every week with Astyanax sp. submitted to intraperitoneal inoculation with diclofenac (0; 0.2; 2.0 or 20.0 µg/kg) or dexamethasone (0; 0.03; 0.3 or 3.0 µg/kg). After 12 doses, blood was collected for testosterone dosage. The gonad and liver were collected to calculate gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI). Antioxidants enzymes activity and biotransformation were also evaluated in liver and gonads. In liver, diclofenac caused oxidative stress with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and lipoperoxidation (LPO). The GST activity was reduced by diclofenac in liver. Trophic exposure of H. malabaricus to dexamethasone caused an increase in antioxidant system (GPx, CAT, GST, and GSH) and LPO in liver. However, it reduced antioxidant system (GPX and GST activities and GSH) in gonads. Both diclofenac and dexamethasone reduced the levels of testosterone, causing impairment to reproduction. Diclofenac reduced HSI at the 0.2 µg/kg, but not GSI. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac and dexamethasone caused oxidative stress and reduced testosterone levels that can have a negative impact in aquatic organisms.

Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs in primary kidney cell culture of a freshwater fish.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate toxic effects of some representative drugs of this pharmaceutical group on primary culture of monocytic lineage of Hoplias malabaricus anterior kidney. The effects of diclofenac, acetaminophen and ibuprofen in cell viability, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production and genotoxicity were evaluated. Cytometry analysis CD11b(+) cells showed 71.5% of stem cells, 19.5% of macrophages and 9% of monocytes. Cell viability was lower in the ficoll compared to percoll separation. LPS-induced NO production by these cells was blocked after treatment with dexamethasone and NG-Methyl-L-Arginine (L-NMMA). Exposure of the cells to diclofenac (0.2-200 ng/mL), acetaminophen (0.025-250 ng/mL) ibuprofen (10-1000 ng/mL) reduced basal NO production and inhibited LPS-induced NO production at all concentrations after 24 h of exposure. Genotoxicity occurred at the highest concentration of diclofenac and at the intermediary concentration of acetaminophen. Genotoxicity was also observed by ibuprofen. In summary, the pharmaceuticals influenced NO production and caused DNA damage in monocytic cells suggesting that these drugs can induce immunosuppression and genotoxicity in fish.

Saxitoxins induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress in teleost neurons in vitro.

The aim of this study was establish a protocol for isolation and primary culture of neurons from tropical freshwater fish species Hoplias malabaricus for assessment of the effects of neurotoxic substances as saxitoxins (STXs). Cells from brain of H. malabaricus were treated with different concentrations of trypsin, dispase and papain for tissue dissociation. Cells type was separated by cellular gradient and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) supplement nutrition media were added. The dissociated cells were plated with medium and different STXs concentrations and the toxic cellular effects such as oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and genotoxicity and apoptosis process were evaluated. Cultures treated with bFGF showed the greatest adherence, survival and cellular development. STXs increased specific activity of glutathione peroxidase and lipoperoxidation levels, were cytotoxic and genotoxic indicated by the comet assay. Although the STXs effects due the blockage of sodium channels is reported to be reversible, the time exposure and concentration of STXs suggested cellular injuries which can lead to neuropathology. The establishment of primary neuronal culture protocol enables new applications for neurotoxicological assessments.

High prevalence of rheumatoid factor associated with clinical manifestations of rheumatic disease in Kaingang and Guarani Indians from Southern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to perform a screening for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-nuclear antibody in Kaingang, Guarani and Mestizos individuals from Mangueirinha Reservation, State of Paraná, Brazil, and associate it with demographic and clinical data. Serum samples from 321 aborigines (125 male and 196 female; 4-86 years old) and 180 non-Indians healthy individuals were analysed (62 male and 118 female; 2-81 years old). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was tested by indirect immunofluorescence, and RF by agglutination in latex and turbidimetry. RF was higher in Kaingang when compared to Guarani (P = 0.009), Mestizos (P = 0.061) and non-Indians (P = 0.010). A significant increase of RF was observed in Kaingang women versus Kaingang men (P = 0.002) and, among the women, in Kaingang when compared to Mestizos and Guarani (P