DNA damage induced by organotins on ­trout-nucleated erythrocytes

Assessment of toxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress in Fejervarya limnocharis exposed to tributyltin

Tributyltin (TBT) is widely used in various commercial applications due to its biocidal properties. Toxicological and genotoxicological data on TBT exposure to amphibians is insufficient. Our study aimed to determine the acute toxicity and genotoxic potential of TBT in Fejervarya limnocharis tadpoles. Furthermore, oxidative stress was also investigated in TBT-treated tadpoles. Tadpoles of Gosner stage (26-30) were screened and subjected to increasing concentrations of TBT (0, 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23 µg/L) for determining the LC50 values for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h. LC50 values of TBT for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h were found to be 19.45, 15.07, 13.12, and 11.84 μg/L respectively. Based on the 96 h LC50 value (11.84 µg/L), tadpoles were exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations of TBT for the evaluation of its genotoxic potential and effects on oxidative balance. The role of TBT on survivability, growth, and time to metamorphosis was also assessed. TBT exposure significantly altered the life history traits measured, increased mortality, and delayed the time taken to metamorphosis. Results indicated significant induction of micronucleus (MN, p < 0.001) and other erythrocytic nuclear aberrations (ENA, p < 0.01) in the TBT-treated groups. Significant alterations in comet parameters and oxidative balance were also observed in the treated groups. The present study findings might add to the cause of the gradual population decline seen in the amphibians. This study also demonstrates the alteration of the life-history traits, oxidative balance, and DNA damage upon TBT exposure which can have long-term consequences for the anuran amphibian F. limnocharis.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of tributyltin in the early embryonic chick, Gallus gallus domesticus

Tributyltin (TBT) is used in many commercial applications, including pesticides and antifouling paints, due to its biocidal properties. We examined the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of TBT in the early chick embryo (Gallus gallus domesticus). Chick embryos (11 days) were treated with various doses of TBT to measure LD₅₀ values for 24, 48, and 72 h exposures, which were determined to be 110, 54, and 18 μg/egg, respectively. The embryos were exposed to sub-lethal doses of TBT for evaluation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. An increase in the incidence of micronuclei (MN) was observed but it was not statistically significant. Induction of other nuclear abnormalities (ONA) after 72 h TBT exposure was significant. A significant increase in comet assay tail DNA content was also detected in TBT-exposed embryos. Cytotoxicity was also evidenced by alteration in the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) ratio and by an increase in the erythroblast population in treated organisms. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of TBT may have long-term complications in later stages of the life cycle.

Imposex and organotin compounds in ports of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: Is the story over?

Organotin compounds are toxic substances released into the marine environment from antifouling paints. Sixty-two years following their first application and 9years after the complete ban on their use as biocides in 2003 (EC No. 782/2003), their negative impact on mollusks was still evident, as illustrated by imposex (i.e. the masculinization of female gastropods). This phenomenon is widely used to investigate tributyltin (TBT) pollution, with Hexaplex trunculus and Nassarius nitidus being considered as sensitive bioindicators. H. trunculus specimens and sediment samples collected from the ports of Cagliari (Sardinia), El Kantaoui (Tunisia) and Olhão (Portugal), along with N. nitidus individuals from the port of Faro (Portugal), were used for the assessment of imposex intensity and organotin pollution in these areas. High imposex frequency and organotin concentrations (TBT, triphenyltin (TPhT) and their degradation products) were observed, especially in Sardinia, implying that these chemicals remain a significant pollution issue in the specific Mediterranean ports. Moreover, the highly significant relationship established between penis length of imposex-affected females H. trunculus and TBT/TPhT concentrations offers a rapid and nonsacrificial proxy model for assessing the impact of organotins in coastal environments. Finally, the complementary use of more than one TBT bioindicator is advised in order to obtain more accurate results in detailed monitoring studies of TBT pollution.

Comparative assessment of cardiac activity and DNA damage in haemocytes of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in exposure to tributyltin chloride

This study gives an insight in sensitivity of heart rate (Hr) of Mytilus galloprovincialis as a physiological biomarker. Impact of tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) on Hr was studied in parallel with evaluation of mutagenic, genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of TBT-Cl (10, 100 and 1000μg/L) within 96h treatment in static conditions. Mutagenic potential was assessed by SOS/umuC assay while genotoxicity was assessed in haemocytes of M. galloprovincialis by using the comet assay and the micronucleus test. Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) was used as a positive control. Hr variations detected in TBT-Cl treatments can be linked to data obtained in the genotoxicological assays indicating that Hr can be considered and used as a reliable physiological biomarker for detecting the presence of organotin compounds. However despite the observed genotoxic potential of B(a)P, a noteworthy Hr response was not observed which further questions the potential of Hr in the detection of different types of pollutants.

Assessing the carcinogenic potential of low-dose exposures to chemical mixtures in the environment: focus on the cancer hallmark of tumor angiogenesis

One of the important 'hallmarks' of cancer is angiogenesis, which is the process of formation of new blood vessels that are necessary for tumor expansion, invasion and metastasis. Under normal physiological conditions, angiogenesis is well balanced and controlled by endogenous proangiogenic factors and antiangiogenic factors. However, factors produced by cancer cells, cancer stem cells and other cell types in the tumor stroma can disrupt the balance so that the tumor microenvironment favors tumor angiogenesis. These factors include vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial tissue factor and other membrane bound receptors that mediate multiple intracellular signaling pathways that contribute to tumor angiogenesis. Though environmental exposures to certain chemicals have been found to initiate and promote tumor development, the role of these exposures (particularly to low doses of multiple substances), is largely unknown in relation to tumor angiogenesis. This review summarizes the evidence of the role of environmental chemical bioactivity and exposure in tumor angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. We identify a number of ubiquitous (prototypical) chemicals with disruptive potential that may warrant further investigation given their selectivity for high-throughput screening assay targets associated with proangiogenic pathways. We also consider the cross-hallmark relationships of a number of important angiogenic pathway targets with other cancer hallmarks and we make recommendations for future research. Understanding of the role of low-dose exposure of chemicals with disruptive potential could help us refine our approach to cancer risk assessment, and may ultimately aid in preventing cancer by reducing or eliminating exposures to synergistic mixtures of chemicals with carcinogenic potential.

Modulation of the DNA repair system and ATR-p53 mediated apoptosis is relevant for tributyltin-induced genotoxic effects in human hepatoma G2 cells

The toxic effects of tributyltin (TBT) have been extensively documented in several types of cells, but the molecular mechanisms related to the genotoxic effects of TBT have still not been fully elucidated. Our study showed that exposure of human hepatoma G2 cells to 1-4 μmol/L TBT for 3 hr caused severe DNA damage in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the expression levels of key DNA damage sensor genes such as the replication factor C, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 were inhabited in a concentration-dependent manner. We further demonstrated that TBT induced cell apoptosis via the p53-mediated pathway, which was most likely activated by the ataxia telangiectasia mutated and rad-3 related (ATR) protein kinase. The results also showed that cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and the B-cell lymphoma 2 were involved in this process. Taken together, we demonstrated for the first time that the inhibition of the DNA repair system might be more responsible for TBT-induced genotoxic effects in cells. Then the generated DNA damage induced by TBT initiated ATR-p53-mediated apoptosis.

Bioaccumulation of butyltins and liver damage in the demersal fish Cathorops spixii (Siluriformes, Ariidae)

The toxicity of butyltin compounds (BTs), mainly tributyltin (TBT), has been reported in different organisms. However, such an analysis in fish after field exposure with reference to the related biomarkers has not been commonly observed in the literature. This study presents the uptake of BTs in the liver of a neotropical marine catfish Cathorops spixii in Paranagua Bay, an important estuarine system located in southern Brazil. Two different areas, close to and distant from the harbor, were used for chemical analysis evaluation of hepatotoxicity through genetic, enzymatic, and histopathological biomarkers. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bile was also considered as a biomarker. The results showed a significant relationship between TBT levels and the inhibition of biotransformation enzymes and high occurrence of melanomacrophages in fish collected close to the harbor site. These effects were linked to the absence of TBT metabolites in the liver. In the second site, the presence of DBT was associated with an increase in EROD and GST activity. The larger amount of DNA damage as well as the highest oxidative stress was noted in fish from the less TBT-polluted area, where DBT and bile PAHs occurred. These findings showed different impact levels due to or increased by the chronic exposure of biota to BTs.

Assessment of base-excision repair activity in fish cell lines: toward a new biomarker of exposure to environmental contaminants?

Amongst DNA-repair processes, base-excision repair (BER) is the major mechanism for removal of DNA-base lesions caused by environmental genotoxicants. BER has been proven to exist in fish but has not been investigated in fish cell-lines, although these constitute increasingly important tools in eco-toxicological assessment. The present study aims at highlighting BER capacity of RTL-W1 and RTG-W1, two trout cell lines used in eco-genotoxicity studies. This is realized by following the kinetics of strand-break repair after a short exposure to model genotoxicants-leading predominantly to BER-specific lesions-by means of the standard alkaline and Fpg-modified comet assays. Results show that both cell lines efficiently repair single-strand breaks and base-alkylation damages within 4h and 24h, respectively. Then, the study shows that after minor modifications of the protocol, the cell extract-based BERc assay can be used to evaluate the base-incision capacity of the cell lines and its variation after exposure of the cells to a model inhibitor of BER (3-aminobenzamide) and to environmental contaminants such as cadmium and tributyltin. This work provides a basis for the further development of DNA-repair activity in fish cell-lines as a new biomarker of genotoxicity.

Exposure to tributyltin and triphenyltin induces DNA damage and alters nucleotide excision repair gene transcription in Sebastiscus marmoratus liver

Tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) coexist in the aquatic environment. However, the effects of TBT, TPT and a mixture of the two on DNA damage in marine fish livers and the mechanism involved remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we assessed their ability to cause hepatic DNA damage in Sebastiscus marmoratus liver and we investigated the related mechanism. The results showed that TBT, TPT and the mixture significantly decreased liver DNA integrity in a dose-dependent manner. Using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we identified that the hepatic total tin concentration was significantly correlated with hepatic DNA integrity after exposure to TBT alone and combined exposure to TBT and TPT. In order to clarify the mechanism which influences DNA repair, the mRNA levels of nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes were determined using real-time PCR analysis. The results showed that NER gene expression levels were disturbed. The expression of XPB, ERCC1, and DNA Pol ɛ was significantly decreased after treatment with TBT, TPT and the mixture, while the expression of PCNA, HR23B, XPG, and DNA lig III was significantly increased in treated-groups compared to the control. Based on this, we proposed that TBT, TPT and a mixture of the two induced DNA damage in marine fish livers by altering the transcription levels of the NER genes.

Biological and Spectral Studies of Newly Synthesized Triazole Schiff Bases and Their Si(IV), Sn(IV) Complexes

The Schiff bases HL^1-3 have been prepared by the reaction of 5-bromothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde with 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-methyl/propyl/isopropyl-s-triazole, respectively. Organosilicon(IV) and organotin(IV) complexes of formulae (CH₃)₂MCl(L^1-3), (CH₃)₂M(L^1-3)₂ were synthesized from the reaction of (CH₃)₂MCl₂ and the Schiff bases in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratio, where M = Si and Sn. The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes have been characterized with the aid of various physicochemical techniques like elemental analyses, molar conductance, UV, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. Based on these studies, the trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral geometries have been proposed for these complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro against some bacteria and fungi.

DNA hypomethylation induced by tributyltin, triphenyltin, and a mixture of these in Sebastiscus marmoratus liver

Tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) coexist in freshwater and marine environments. However, the effects of TBT, TPT, and a mixture of the two on DNA methylation in marine fish livers and the mechanism involved remain to be elucidated. Previous study have proved that abnormal methylation patterns are induced by the balance of transmethylation reaction including the tissue level of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) or the activity of DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Therefore, in the present study, we assessed their ability to cause hepatic DNA hypomethylation in Sebastiscus marmoratus liver and the related mechanism. The results showed that TBT, TPT, and a mixture of the two significantly induced DNA hypomethylation in the fish livers in a dose-dependent manner. Using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, we identified strong linear correlations between S-adenosylhomocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, or the SAM to SAH ratio and the hepatic genome-wide 5-methylcytosine content of the DNA, but no correlation between the latter and the DNMT1 expression level. It is therefore proposed that the organotins hypomethylation induced in the marine fish livers was due to altering the balance of the substrate and the product in transmethylation reactions.

Genotoxic effects of binary mixtures of xenoandrogens (tributyltin, triphenyltin) and a xenoestrogen (ethinylestradiol) in a partial life-cycle test with Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A partial life-cycle test with the model fish Danio rerio was performed in order to evaluate the genotoxic potential of binary mixtures of xenoandrogenic (tributyltin--TBT; triphenyltin--TPT) and an estrogenic compound (ethinylestradiol--EE2). Five days post-fertilisation larvae were diet-exposed to environmental relevant concentrations of TBT and TPT (25 ng/g-100 ng/g), and water-exposed to ethinylestradiol (3.5 ng/L) for a four-month period; binary mixtures of TBT plus EE2 and TPT plus EE2 were run in parallel. The erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay in circulating erythrocytes was used to evaluate genotoxicity in the end of the four-month exposure period. A significant increase (p<0.05, Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric ANOVA) in ENA frequency, in comparison with control animals, was observed in those animals exposed to TBT and TPT (the highest doses only), and to EE2 and the binary mixtures, although neither synergistic nor additive effects of the tested compounds were evident. Overall, the results clearly indicate that chronic exposure to low levels of TBT, TPT, EE2 and binary mixtures of TBT plus EE2 and TPT plus EE2 are genotoxic to zebrafish, which may suggest that wild fish populations may be under increased DNA damage in areas contaminated by these endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Preparation, preservation and application of pure isotope-enriched phenyltin species

A method combining liquid/liquid extraction and chromatographic fractionation has been developed for the preparation of pure monophenyltin (MPhT), diphenyltin (DPhT), and triphenyltin (TPhT), synthesized from isotope-enriched Sn metal using phenylation of SnI(4) in diethylether (DEE) followed by quenching with HBr and water. After two successive extractions of the aqueous HBr phase with DEE, >99% of both DPhT and TPhT was recovered in the combined DEE phase and 94% of the MPhT remained in the aqueous phase. The MPhT in the aqueous phase was extracted into dichloromethane. The organic phases were vaporized and the PhTs were redissolved in MeOH/water/acetic acid/sodium acetate (59/30/6/8, v/v/v/w), which was also used as storing solution. Aliquots of the two solutions containing either DPhT and TPhT or MPhT were injected into a silica-based C(18) column for isolating and purifying single species. The yields of pure MPhT, DPhT, and TPhT, each synthesized from isotope-enriched (118)Sn metal, (122)Sn metal, and (124)Sn metal, were better than 99%. After chromatographic separation, the single phenyltin compounds were mixed to prepare a spike for multiple-isotope species-specific isotope dilution (MI-SSID). MI-SSID was successfully used to determine phenyltin compounds in the certified reference material, mussel tissue BCR CRM-477. At -20 degrees C, all of the fractionated phenyltin species were stable in the storage solution for at least 197 days. When these standards were stored at 4 degrees C or 22 degrees C, 4-6% of the DPhT and TPhT degraded within 27 days. The degradation of DPhT and TPhT increased with the ionic strength and acidity of the storage solution.

Toxicity of tributyltin in the marine mollusc Mytilus edulis

Our previous studies have demonstrated that tributyltin (TBT) is genotoxic to the early life stages of marine mussels and worms. Here, the toxicity of TBT to adult organisms was determined using a suite of biomarkers designed to detect cytotoxic, immunotoxic and genotoxic effects. Exposure of adult mussels, Mytilus edulis, to environmentally realistic concentrations of TBTO for 7 days resulted in a statistically significant decrease in cell viability at concentrations of 0.5 microg/l and above. TBT had no effect on phagocytic activity or antioxidant capacity (FRAP assay). There was a statistically significant increase in DNA damage detected using the comet and micronucleus assays between the controls and 0.5, 1 and 5 microg/l of TBTO (P > 0.0005). Furthermore there was a strong correlation between DNA strand breaks (comet assay) and formation of micronuclei (P = 0.0005; R2 = 61.5%). Possible mechanisms by which TBT could damage DNA either directly or indirectly are discussed including the possibility that TBT is genotoxic due to its ability to disrupt calcium homeostasis.

Molecular markers of endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms

A wide range of organic contaminant compounds prevalent in the aquatic environment has been shown to exhibit hormone-disrupting activity. The actual potency of such compounds are low compared with endogenous hormones, such as 17beta-estradiol, but may still produce detrimental biological effects. Induced hormone levels are routinely measured using commercial testing kits, though these fail to relate to actual effects. Field and laboratory studies on the biological effects of environmental estrogens have, in the past, largely relied on assays of vitellogenin (vtg) induction in male fish, reduced growth in testes formation, and intersex incidence. Here, we critically review the current and potential application of molecular techniques in assessing the adverse biological reproductive effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in aquatic organisms. The role of fish (estrogen, androgen, and progestogen) hormone receptors and invertebrate (ecdysone) hormone receptor, egg production (vtg and chorion) proteins, steroid biosynthesis enzymes (aromatase, sulfotransferase, and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase), DNA damage, apoptosis, and their potential development as biomarkers are discussed in turn. In each case, the sequences characterized are presented and homologies across species are highlighted. Molecular methods of gauging vtg and zona radiata (ZR) expression and protein concentrations have included immunoassay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Suggestions for the isolation for key gene expression products (aromatase, ZR, and vtg, for instance), from a wider range of fish species using degenerate primers, are given. Endocrine disruption in invertebrates has received less attention compared with fish, partly because the knowledge regarding invertebrate endocrinology is limited. Here we review and suggest alternate isolation strategies for key players in the imposex induction process: vitellin (Vn), aromatase, and Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp (APGW) amide neurohormone. Current molecular-level techniques rely on ligand-binding assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and, more recently, gene expression. In the future, more reliance will be placed on the development of gene expression assays using reporter systems combined with cross-species PCR-based or polyclonal antibody-based assays. We discuss the use of recombinant receptors as a means of primary screening of environmental samples for estrogenicity and antiestrogenicity, which avoids species and seasonal variation in receptor response to ligand binding, a recognized problem of earlier bioassays. Most exciting is the potential that microarray and proteomics approaches have to offer. Such techniques are now used routinely in medical research to identify specific genes and proteins affected by treatment with endocrine disruptors, including estradiol. The technique has yet to be used to screen aquatic organisms, but it has the potential to implicate previously unsuspected estradiol-sensitive genes that may later become molecular markers of endocrine disruption.

Effect of tributyltin on trout blood cells: changes in mitochondrial morphology and functionality

The aquatic environment is the largest sink for the highly toxic organotin compounds, particularly as one of the main sources is the direct release of organotins from marine antifouling paints. The aim of this study was to investigate the mitochondrial toxicity and proapoptotic activity of tributyltin chloride (TBTC) in teleost leukocytes and nucleated erythrocytes, by means of electron microscopy investigation and mitochondrial membrane potential evaluation, in order to provide an early indicator of aquatic environmental pollution. Erythrocytes and leukocytes were obtained from an inbred strain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Transmission electronic micrographs of trout red blood cells (RBC) incubated in the presence of TBTC at 1 and 5 microM for 60 min showed remarkable mitochondrial morphological changes. TBTC-mediated toxicity involved alteration of the cristae ultrastructure and mitochondrial swelling, in a dose-dependent manner. Both erythrocytes and leukocytes displayed a consistent drop in mitochondrial membrane potential following TBTC exposure at concentrations >1 microM. The proapoptotic effect of TBTC on fish blood cells, and involvement of mitochondrial pathways was also investigated by verifying the release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3 and the presence of "DNA laddering". Although mitochondrial activity was much more strongly affected in erythrocytes, leukocytes incubated in the presence of TBTC showed the characteristic features of apoptosis after only 1 h of incubation. Longer exposures, up to 12 h, were required to trigger an apoptotic response in erythrocytes.