毒死蜱对我国南方稻区水域中12种淡水鱼的毒性

毒死蜱作为稻田常用农药,普遍存在于稻区沟渠、池塘和河流中,从而对生活在其中的鱼类具有潜在风险。通过短期暴露试验,比较了毒死蜱在纯水、水-沉积物体系中对淡水鱼的毒性效应,进一步研究了毒死蜱在不同鱼体内的生物富集作用,以及对鱼脑Ach E活性的影响。试验结果表明:毒死蜱对12种淡水鱼均表现为高毒或剧毒,最敏感的是太阳鱼,但体系中沉积物的存在会通过吸附作用降低农药对鱼类的毒性;毒死蜱在鱼体内表现为中等或高富集性,其中斑马鱼的富集系数最大;毒死蜱对鱼脑Ach E酶活性有明显抑制作用,其中以虹鳟最敏感。研究结果为稻田常用农药对水生态环境中鱼类安全的风险性评价提供了科学依据。     

6种苯系物对虾夷扇贝的生殖毒性作用

采用半静水式毒性试验,研究了6种苯系物(苯、甲苯、乙基苯、邻–二甲苯、间–二甲苯、对–二甲苯)对虾夷扇贝的生殖毒性作用。在水温(16±0.5)℃、盐度30.0、p H 8.0条件下,用0.5、2.5、12.5 mg·L-1的苯、甲苯、乙基苯、邻–二甲苯、间–二甲苯、对–二甲苯处理虾夷扇贝的精子、胚胎和幼体,观察6种苯系物对虾夷扇贝的精子活力、卵子受精率、胚胎延滞率、胚胎畸形率、孵化率、幼体畸形率的影响。同时通过透射电镜观察6种苯系物(2.5 mg·L-1)对虾夷扇贝精子超微结构的损伤作用。结果发现:不同浓度苯系物处理组与对照组(0.0 mg·L-1)相比,虾夷扇贝精子的运动时间、卵子受精率及胚胎孵化率显著降低;胚胎发育延滞率、胚胎畸形率和幼体畸形率显著增加为并与处理浓度之间存在显著的剂量—效应关系。以上结果表明实验浓度下,6种苯系物对虾夷扇贝具有较强的胚胎毒性和生殖毒性作用。通过电镜切片发现,2.5 mg·L-1的苯、甲苯、乙基苯、邻–二甲苯、间–二甲苯、对–二甲苯导致虾夷扇贝精子超微结构损伤,表现为:精子质膜断裂、部分溶解,线粒体质膜和内嵴断裂、部分溶解。苯系物对虾夷扇贝精子超微结构的损伤可能是影响其精子活力和降低卵子受精率的主要原因之一。上述结果为苯系物对海洋贝类的生殖毒性评价提供基础数据。     

十六烷基三甲基氯化铵与荧蒽对小球藻的联合毒性及其作用机制

以普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)为受试生物,采用批量培养方法研究了阳离子表面活性剂十六烷基三甲基氯化铵(CTAC)与多环芳烃荧蒽(Flu)的联合毒性及其作用机制.结果表明,当CTAC初始浓度固定为100μg/L时,随Flu浓度的升高(0~100.84μg/L), CTAC与Flu的联合毒性由协同效应(0~22.50μg/L)转为拮抗效应(22.50~100.84μg/L).当Flu浓度为1.13μg/L时,协同效应达到最大(RI＝2.01),与对照组相比,生物量抑制率从37.5%增加至80.9%;对氮和铁单位吸收量分别从0.27mg和9.18μg降至0.09mg和2.14μg;藻细胞Zeta电位从-10.0mV提高至-8.3mV;叶绿素a和可溶性蛋白质含量分别从5.00mg/L和80.65μg/mg降为2.57mg/L和50.36μg/mg.根据实验结果分析, CTAC与Flu复合污染体系提高了藻细胞Zeta电位,抑制了小球藻对氮和铁的吸收,降低了藻细胞体内叶绿素和蛋白质的含量.     

Determination of types of interactions exhibited by binary mixtures of heavy metals tested against the hermit crab,Clibanarius africanus

Single and joint action toxicity of heavy metal compounds (ZnCO₃, CuSO₄ and CdSO₄) were carried out against the hermit crab, Clibanarius africanus in laboratory bioassays. On the basis of 96?h LC₅₀ values, CuSO₄ (96?h LC₅₀?=?0.03?mM) was found to be the most toxic followed by CdSO₄ and ZnCO₃ (96?h LC₅₀?=?0.24?mM) in decreasing order of toxicity. The evaluation of the metal compounds in mixtures of ZnCO₃–CuSO₄, ZnCO₃–CdSO₄ and CdSO₄–CuSO₄ in pre-defined molar ratios revealed that interactions between Zn–Cu and Zn–Cd test mixtures were in conformity with the models of antagonism (reduction in toxicity of constituent metals). The synergistic ratios (S.R.s) and relationship between observed/predicted 96?h LC₅₀ values (relative toxic unit, RTU) were consistently below 1, indicating antagonistic interactions. Analysis using isobolograms also indicated the interactions between the mixture components to be antagonistic. However, with regards to CdSO₄–CuSO₄ test mixtures, the interactions between these metals were mainly in conformity with the model of synergism. The S.R. and RTU values were largely above 1, indicating synergistic interactions. The importance of the joint action evaluations for the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the setting up of water quality criteria was discussed.     

Royal jelly inhibited N-acetylation and metabolism of 2-aminofluorene in human liver tumor cells (J5)

The present study was carried out to evaluate the question of whether or not royal jelly affects N-acetylation and metabolism of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) in the human liver tumor cell line (J 5). N-acetylation and metabolism of 2-AF in intact J5 cells was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography for the amounts of acetylated and nonacetylated 2-AF and profile of 2-AF metabolism. The results indicated that royal jelly displayed a dose-dependent inhibition of N-acetylation of 2-AF in J5 cells. Royal jelly also decreased the profile of 2-AF metabolites in J5 cells. This report is the first demonstration which showed that royal jelly affects N-acetylation of 2-AF in human liver tumor cells (J5).     

Toxicity of cypermethrin on total lipids and free fatty acids in liver,muscle, kidney and ovary of Clarias batrachus (L) and recovery response

Alterations in the levels of lipid metabolites, total lipids and free fatty acids, were studied in physiologically important tissues viz; liver, muscle, kidney and ovary of a freshwater edible fish Clarias batrachus. The fish was exposed to sublethal concentration (1/3 of LC50 value for 96?h) of a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin for 1, 5 and 10 days. After 10 days of exposure, fish were released into fresh water and total lipids and free fatty acids were determined at intervals of 1, 5 and 10 days to assess fish recovery response after cessation of cypermethrin exposure. Fish showed an increased rate of lipogenesis in liver, muscle, kidney and ovary during the exposure period followed by a decrease after transfer of fish into fresh water. There was also an elevation in liver and kidney free fatty acids contents, while the muscle and ovary free fatty acid contents were reduced during exposure period. The alterations in free fatty acids were restored to near normal values after 10 days of cessation of exposure.     

Screening for acute ocular toxicity of commercialized products of cartap,an insecticide,and correlation to blood concentrations in rabbits

Cartap is an insecticide known to produce contraction and damage to mouse and rabbit diaphragms, and plays a pivotal role in respiratory paralysis and mortality in rabbits. The aim of this study was conducted to screen for the toxic properties and blood concentrations of commercialized cartap products in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Five granular formulations (GRs) with different concentrations (4, 6, 6.5, 6.66 or 10%) and seven water-soluble powders (SPs, 50%) of commercialized cartap products were chosen to study toxicity following ocular instillation. Furthermore, ocular instillation (5, 12.5, 25 or 50 mg kg^?1) and oral administration (25 mg kg^?1) of the technical material (TC) cartap was also performed to compare blood concentration changes in rabbits. There was no death or eye irritation with all GR products; however, soluble powder (SP) products produced severe toxicity and mortality in rabbits. The blood concentration of TC cartap in rabbits started to increase from 2 min and reached peak levels at 7–9 min after ocular instillation in a dose-related pattern. For comparison of the blood distribution of cartap via different administration routes, oral exposure exhibited a higher absorption of cartap than ocular instillation. It was suggested that the commercialized GR products of cartap were safe but 50% SP products were highly toxic to rabbits following ocular exposure. This study provides valuable data to screen for potential acute toxicity of cartap to farmers and animals in the field.     

Role of GSH in the amelioration of chromium-induced membrane damage

Membrane damage is one of the important consequences of chromium (Cr), an environmental toxicant, induced cytotoxicity. Reduced glutathione (GSH), a membrane protectant may be used to reduce the Cr-induced membrane damage. In the present study, the impact of Cr in presence and absence of GSH was studied on plasma membrane of the liver and kidneys in male Wistar rats. Significant increases in membrane cholesterol levels as well as significant decreases in membrane phospholipid levels in Cr exposed (0.8 mg per 100 g body weight, i.p., for 28 days) animals suggest structural alterations in both the liver and kidney plasma membranes. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total ATPase, and Na⁺–K⁺–ATPase activities of plasma membrane were significantly decreased in both the liver and kidneys after Cr treatment. This treatment also produced significant weight loss and increased Cr content in the liver and kidneys. However, GSH (8 mg per 100g body weight, i.p., daily at an interval of 6 h after injection of Cr for a period of 28 days) supplementation restored alterations induced by Cr in plasma membrane of both the liver and kidneys but was not able to eliminate the deposited Cr from the liver and kidney tissues.     

Evaluation of vitamin E and calcium effects on fluoride toxicity-induced fertility impairment

Chronic fluoride (Fl) toxicity is a serious public health problem globally where drinking water contains more than 1 ppm of Fl. Sodium fluoride (NaF) produced male reproductive system toxicity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the amelioration of Fl toxicity-induced fertility impairment by vitamin E and calcium during the withdrawal period. The study was carried out on 70 adult male albino rats divided into five main groups: group I control; subdivided into group Ia (maintained on standard diet and water ad libitum for 60 days) and group Ib (maintained on standard diet and water ad libitum for 120 days), group II was administered NaF and subdivided into group IIa (administered NaF for 60 day and sacrificed) and group IIb (administered NaF for 60 day then maintained on standard diet and water ad libitum for a further 60 days), and treated groups III, IV, and V were administered NaF. Rats were maintained during withdrawal from NaF, on vitamin E (10 mg kg^?1 day^?1 for 60 days), calcium (50 mg kg^?1 day^?1 orally for 60 days), and both vitamin E and calcium, respectively. The duration of NaF administration was 60 days at a dose 20 mg kg^?1 day^?1 for all treated groups. The following parameters were determined: body and organ weights, sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm viability, fertility test, and hormone assays: testosterone, in vitro testosterone production, luteinizing hormone, and follicular stimulating hormone. The combined administration of vitamin E and calcium during withdrawal from NaF showed significant improvement from chronic FL-induced toxicity on male reproductive organs.     

In vitro cytotoxicity of multi-wall carbon nanotubes on human cell lines

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of two multi-wall carbon nanotubes on four different cell lines: human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells, hepatocytes (Hep 3B cells), human embryonic kidney cells, and intestinal (P407 cells) cells. The adverse effects of carbon nanoparticles were analyzed after 24 h incubation with different cell lines using the trypan blue dye exclusion method. Incubation of carbon nanotubes with different cells produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of growth of the cells. The TC₅₀ or IC₅₀ values (toxic concentration 50, i.e., concentration of particles inducing 50% cell mortality) of two nanoparticles were (1) found to be in the range 23.5–30.5 µg mL^?1, and (2) less than that of quartz (known toxic agent, 28.8–66.9 µg mL^?1), indicating the greater cytotoxic effect of carbon nanoparticles than quartz particles.