Effects of different inorganic arsenic species in Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) tissues after short-time exposure: Bioaccumulation, biotransformation and biological responses

Differences in the toxicological and metabolic pathway of inorganic arsenic compounds are largely unknown for aquatic species. In the present study the effects of short-time and acute exposure to As^III and As^V were investigated in gills and liver of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae), measuring accumulation and chemical speciation of arsenic, and the activity of glutathione-S-transferase omega (GST Ω), the rate limiting enzyme in biotransformation of inorganic arsenic. Oxidative biomarkers included antioxidant defenses (total glutathione-S-transferases, glutathione reductase, glutathione, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), total scavenging capacity toward peroxyl radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement and lipid peroxidation products. A marked accumulation of arsenic was observed only in gills of carps exposed to 1000 ppb As^V. Also in gills, antioxidant responses were mostly modulated through a significant induction of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity which probably contributed to reduce ROS formation; however this increase was not sufficient to prevent lipid peroxidation. No changes in metal content were measured in liver of exposed carps, characterized by lower activity of GST Ω compared to gills. On the other hand, glutathione metabolism was more sensitive in liver tissue, where a significant inhibition of glutathione reductase was concomitant with increased levels of glutathione and higher total antioxidant capacity toward peroxyl radicals, thus preventing lipid peroxidation and ROS production. The overall results of this study indicated that exposure of C. carpio to As^III and As^V can induce different responses in gills and liver of this aquatic organism.     

四溴双酚-A污染对颤蚓的氧化胁迫及毒性

在实验室模拟条件下分别采用动、静态生物慢性实验的方法,研究了不同浓度的四溴双酚-A(Tetrabromobisphenol A, TBBPA)对颤蚓(Monopylephorus limosus)体内抗氧化酶系统及相Ⅱ结合酶系统活性的影响以及颤蚓暴露于单一浓度的TBBPA后,其体内抗氧化酶系统的活性随时间的响应.结果表明,暴露 8d 后,颤蚓体内SOD的活性发生显著变化,变化趋势明显分为升高、降低、再升高3阶段,在0.05ms/L时SOD的活性被最大诱导(p<0.01),达到对照组的7.8倍,各浓度组SOD的活性均显著高于对照组,由对照组的1.5倍到对照组的7.8倍;同时, CAT的活性变化则呈升高、降低、再升高、再降低4阶段,0.5mg/L时其活性达到最大值(p<0.01),除0.005mg/L和0.25mg/L浓度组CAT活性受抑制外,其余浓度组CAT的活性均高于对照组,由对照组的1.1倍到1.9倍,染毒浓度为0.25ms/L时, GST的活性达到最大诱导(p<0.01),其活性先缓慢上升后下降,并且各处理组GST的活性均显著高于对照组(p<0.05).在单一浓度TBBPA污染暴露的10d时间内,颤蚓体内SOD的活性变化趋势形成了一个变形的"M" 形曲线,在第3d时其活性达到最大诱导,而CAT活性的变化则表现为一个不规则的"N"形曲线,在第5d,时其活性达到最大诱导,并且SOD的活性比CAT的活性受时间的影响小,相对来说更稳定.可见, SOD与GST的活性变化似乎更能反映出TBBPA对颤蚓的污染效应及其毒性作用,而SOD的活性变化似乎更为灵敏,但是二者能否作为指示TBBPA污染的生物标志物尚需进一步研究.     

Solanum nigrum L. weed plants as a remediation tool for metalaxyl-polluted effluents and soils

In this work, the phytoremediation potential of metalaxyl, a commonly used persistent, mobile and leachy fungicide, by Solanum nigrum L. plants was studied. The study revealed that this plant species can be used as an excellent metalaxyl phytoremediation tool, thus providing a cost effective and environmentally friendly clean technology for the decontamination of sites and effluents. As it can be sowed directly in the remediation site, is able to complete its life cycle without suffering major stress. Because it accumulates high amounts of the fungicide in the aboveground tissues, enables its concentration and proper disposal by cutting off the corresponding plant part. The study also suggests that the tolerance to metalaxyl is due to a suitable antioxidant response comprising proline accumulation and guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase enhanced activities, that reduce oxidative damage to the plant organs.     

Toxicity biomarker expression in daphnids exposed to manufactured nanoparticles: Changes in toxicity with functionalization

In previous work we have shown that the toxicity of nanomaterials to Daphnia spp. differs with the type of nanoparticle either due to the core of the particle or to the way in which a particle suspension is prepared. The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity and antioxidant response of Daphnia pulex in relation to a change in surface functionalization of nanomaterials with the same core material, nC60. Despite the lack of acute toxicity for various nC60 suspensions up to 100 ppm concentration, there was a significant production of the toxicity biomarkers glutathione-S-transferase and catalase, at lower concentrations indicating changes in reactive oxygen species. Nanoparticle functionalization significantly affected this response. Oxidative stress markers appear to be a good predictor of potential future toxicity of nanomaterials. Functionalization alters both toxicity and oxidative stress in whole organism assays.