In vivo effects of phenolic compounds on blood parameters of a marine fish (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were injected intraperitoneally once (single dose) or three times (fractionated dose) with phenol or OH-phenols (hydroquinone, resorcinol, and pyrocatechol). On the basis of the lethal doses, OH-phenols were more toxic than phenol, and pyrocatechol was the most powerful compound. Hematological, metabolic and antioxidant blood parameters were measured 3 days after the end of the treatment. Metabolic variations as specific effects on erythrocytes were revealed and differences between single and fractionated doses were observed. OH-phenols-treated fish showed disorders in the metabolic toxicity indicators as hypoglycemia, low blood urea nitrogen level (BUN) and decrease of alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP). In addition, quantitative structure-activity relationships were developed using the n-octanol:water partition coefficient (log K_ow). Positive correlations were found with ALP, plasma glucose and hemoglobin.