Multi-biomarker analysis of sub-chronic PAH mixture effects in fish at environmentally relevant levels

IF 4.1 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY

Aquatic Toxicology Pub Date : 2025-03-29 DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107350

B. Matos , I. Bramatti , C.D. Santos , V. Branco , M. Martins

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, occurring as complex mixtures with unpredictable toxicity. Although PAHs are procarcinogenic, their harmful effects require metabolic activation, leading to reactive metabolites and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause DNA damage.

This study assessed the toxic effects of individual PAHs (Phenanthrene and Benzo[a]pyrene) and their mixtures (1:2 and 2:1 ratios) on juvenile seabream (Sparus aurata) after 42 days of exposure at 0.2nmol.L⁻¹ . Biomarkers related to oxidative stress, detoxification, and lipid peroxidation were analysed in the liver and gills (e.g., glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), lipoperoxidation (LPO). Liver gene expression (Cytochromes P450 (CYP1A), GST3, tumour protein p53 (TP53) and blood cell DNA damage were also studied. Correlation analyses and Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) were used to relate treatments and biomarkers.

Results suggested differences in organ responses, with the gills generally showing the most significant changes in GSH levels, GST activity, and LPO compared to the control group. DNA repair mechanisms appeared to prevent significant genotoxicity as assessed by the comet assay. However, erythrocytic nuclear anomalies (ENAs) were notably higher in fish exposed to Phe, B[a]P, and the 2:1 B[a]P:Phe mixture compared to the control group. Interestingly, the 2:1 Phe:B[a]P mixture appeared to have an enhanced effect, showing a marked upregulation of GST3 mRNA (up to 7-fold), possibly influenced by the higher proportion of Phe. MDS analysis proved to be a valuable tool in identifying patterns among biological responses, offering insight into how fish cope with PAH exposure and helping to uncover the unpredictable effects of chemical mixtures.

This study highlights the need for further research into the interactions of PAH mixtures, employing multi-analysis approach and underscores the importance of revising environmental guidelines to account for their effects.

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来源期刊

Aquatic Toxicology 环境科学-毒理学

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

4.40%

发文量

250

审稿时长

56 days

期刊介绍： Aquatic Toxicology publishes significant contributions that increase the understanding of the impact of harmful substances (including natural and synthetic chemicals) on aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Aquatic Toxicology considers both laboratory and field studies with a focus on marine/ freshwater environments. We strive to attract high quality original scientific papers, critical reviews and expert opinion papers in the following areas: Effects of harmful substances on molecular, cellular, sub-organismal, organismal, population, community, and ecosystem level; Toxic Mechanisms; Genetic disturbances, transgenerational effects, behavioral and adaptive responses; Impacts of harmful substances on structure, function of and services provided by aquatic ecosystems; Mixture toxicity assessment; Statistical approaches to predict exposure to and hazards of contaminants The journal also considers manuscripts in other areas, such as the development of innovative concepts, approaches, and methodologies, which promote the wider application of toxicological datasets to the protection of aquatic environments and inform ecological risk assessments and decision making by relevant authorities.