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Liu S, Lin J, Ding R, Nie X. Simvastatin as an emerging pollutant on non-target aquatic invertebrates: effects on antioxidant-related genes in Daphnia magna. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:52248-52262. [PMID: 35258724 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Simvastatin (SIM) is one of the most widely used lipid-lowering drugs and consequently has been frequently detected in various waters. However, its potential adverse effects and toxic mechanisms on non-target organisms such as Daphnia magna (D. magna) remain still unclear. In the present study, the expressions of Nrf2 and antioxidant genes including Keap1, HO-1, GCLC, GST, SOD, CAT, GPx5, GPx7, GRx, TRX, TrxR, and Prx1 in D. magna exposed to SIM for 24 h, 48 h, and 96 h were investigated. The changes of SOD, CAT, GST, and GPx enzymatic activities, and the GSH and MDA content under SIM for 48-h exposure were also addressed. Results showed that the expression of Nrf2 was inhibited at 24 h but induced at 96 h, displaying a time- and/or dose-dependent relationship under SIM exposure. In contrast, Keap1 exhibited induction at 24 h. HO-1 showed significant induction under SIM exposure for different time. SOD generally displayed an induction trend under SIM exposure for different periods. GPX5 expression showed significant induction under SIM exposure, particularly at 24 h in 5 µg L-1 increasing 15 folds of the control. But GPX7 expression generally displayed inhibition except in 5 µg L-1. Trx and TrxR showed different induction or inhibition, which was depended on the exposure time and concentration. Prx1 displayed significant induction in most SIM groups. In addition, the decreasing GSH and increasing MDA content also indicated oxidative stress of SIM exposure. Overall, SIM exposure affected the expression of Nrf2 and antioxidant-related genes and altered the redox homeostasis of D. magna, even may cause the morphological changes such as shorten spine and abnormal development eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Liu
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiawei Lin
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiangping Nie
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Red Tide Prevention of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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2
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Garçon DP, Fabri LM, Moraes CM, Costa MIC, Freitas RS, McNamara JC, Leone FA. Effects of ammonia on gill (Na +, K +)-ATPase kinetics in a hololimnetic population of the Amazon River shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 246:106144. [PMID: 35339850 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Water quality is essential for successful aquaculture. For freshwater shrimp farming, ammonia concentrations can increase considerably, even when culture water is renewed frequently, consequently increasing the risk of ammonia intoxication. We investigated ammonia lethality (LC50-96 h) in a hololimnetic population of the Amazon River shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum from the Paraná/Paraguay River basin, including the effects of exposure to 4.93 mg L-1 total ammonia concentration on gill (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity. The mean LC50-96 h was 49.27 mg L-1 total ammonia, corresponding to 1.8 mg L-1 un-ionized ammonia. Except for NH4+ affinity that increased 2.5-fold, that of the gill (Na+, K+)-ATPase for ATP, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and ouabain was unchanged after ammonia exposure. Western blotting of gill microsomal preparations from fresh caught shrimps showed a single immunoreactive band of ≈110 kDa, corresponding to the gill (Na+, K+)-ATPase α-subunit. Ammonia exposure increased (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity by ≈25%, coincident with an additional 130 kDa α-subunit immunoreactive band, and increased K+-stimulated and V(H+)-ATPase activities by ≈2.5-fold. Macrobrachium amazonicum from the Paraná/Paraguay River basin is as tolerant to ammonia as are other Amazon River basins populations, showing toxicity comparable to that of marine crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela P Garçon
- Campus Universitário de Iturama, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Iturama, MG, Brasil
| | - Leonardo M Fabri
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cintya M Moraes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Izabel C Costa
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Renata S Freitas
- Campus Universitário de Iturama, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Iturama, MG, Brasil
| | - John C McNamara
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil; Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, SP, Brasil
| | - Francisco A Leone
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
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Neuparth T, Alves N, Machado AM, Pinheiro M, Montes R, Rodil R, Barros S, Ruivo R, Castro LFC, Quintana JB, Santos MM. Neuroendocrine pathways at risk? Simvastatin induces inter and transgenerational disruption in the keystone amphipod Gammarus locusta. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 244:106095. [PMID: 35121565 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The primary focus of environmental toxicological studies is to address the direct effects of chemicals on exposed organisms (parental generation - F0), mostly overlooking effects on subsequent non-exposed generations (F1 and F2 - intergenerational and F3 transgenerational, respectively). Here, we addressed the effects of simvastatin (SIM), one of the most widely prescribed human pharmaceuticals for the primary treatment of hypercholesterolemia, using the keystone crustacean Gammarus locusta. We demonstrate that SIM, at environmentally relevant concentrations, has significant inter and transgenerational (F1 and F3) effects in key signaling pathways involved in crustaceans' neuroendocrine regulation (Ecdysteroids, Catecholamines, NO/cGMP/PKG, GABAergic and Cholinergic signaling pathways), concomitantly with changes in apical endpoints, such as depressed reproduction and growth. These findings are an essential step to improve hazard and risk assessment of biological active compounds, such as SIM, and highlight the importance of studying the transgenerational effects of environmental chemicals in animals' neuroendocrine regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Neuparth
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - N Alves
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A M Machado
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Pinheiro
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Montes
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IAQBUS - Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, R. Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - R Rodil
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IAQBUS - Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, R. Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - S Barros
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CITAB - Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Quinta de Prados - Ed. Blocos Laboratoriais C1.10, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - R Ruivo
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J B Quintana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IAQBUS - Institute of Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, R. Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M M Santos
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Albendín MG, Aranda V, Coello MD, González-Gómez C, Rodríguez-Barroso R, Quiroga JM, Arellano JM. Pharmaceutical Products and Pesticides Toxicity Associated with Microplastics (Polyvinyl Chloride) in Artemia salina. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010773. [PMID: 34682526 PMCID: PMC8536102 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical products, as well as insecticides and antimicrobials, have been extensively studied, but knowledge of their effects-especially those caused by their mixtures with microplastics-on aquatic organisms remains limited. However, it should be borne in mind that the state of knowledge on acute and chronic effects in aquatic organisms for pharmaceuticals and pesticides is not similar. In response, this investigation analyzed the presence of microplastics (polyvinyl chloride) and their impacts on the toxicity of chlorpyrifos (an insecticide) and triclosan (an antibacterial) when they coincide in the environment, alongside the two most consumed drugs of their type (hypolipemic and anticonvulsant, respectively), namely simvastatin and carbamazepine, in Artemia salina. LC50 and cholinesterase enzyme activity were calculated to determine the possible neurotoxicity associated with emergent contaminants in the treatments. The LC50 values obtained were 0.006 mg/dm3 for chlorpyrifos, 0.012 mg/dm3 for chlorpyrifos associated with microplastics, 4.979 mg/dm3 for triclosan, 4.957 mg/dm3 for triclosan associated with microplastics, 9.35 mg/dm3 for simvastatin, 10.29 mg/dm3 for simvastatin associated with microplastics, 43.25 mg/dm3 for carbamazepine and 46.50 mg/dm3 for carbamazepine associated with microplastics in acute exposure. These results indicate that the presence of microplastics in the medium reduces toxicity, considering the LC50 values. However, exposure to chlorpyrifos and carbamazepine, both alone and associated with microplastics, showed a decline in cholinesterase activity, confirming their neurotoxic effect. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed with the biomarker cholinesterase between the toxicant and the toxicant with microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gemma Albendín
- Toxicology Laboratory, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (M.G.A.); (V.A.); (C.G.-G.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Vanessa Aranda
- Toxicology Laboratory, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (M.G.A.); (V.A.); (C.G.-G.); (J.M.A.)
| | - María Dolores Coello
- Environmental Technologies Department, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (R.R.-B.); (J.M.Q.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmen González-Gómez
- Toxicology Laboratory, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (M.G.A.); (V.A.); (C.G.-G.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Rocío Rodríguez-Barroso
- Environmental Technologies Department, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (R.R.-B.); (J.M.Q.)
| | - José María Quiroga
- Environmental Technologies Department, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (R.R.-B.); (J.M.Q.)
| | - Juana María Arellano
- Toxicology Laboratory, University Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), International Campus of Excellence of the Sea (CEI MAR), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain; (M.G.A.); (V.A.); (C.G.-G.); (J.M.A.)
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Wang C, Tang T, Wang Y, Nie X, Li K. Simvastatin affects the PPARα signaling pathway and causes oxidative stress and embryonic development interference in Mugilogobius abei. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 239:105951. [PMID: 34467877 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Simvastatin (SV) is a common hypolipidemic drug in clinical medicine that can reduce endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting hydroxyl-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase. SV took a large market share in the lipid-lowering drugs and it is frequently detected in various water bodies due to its increasing consumption in past years. In the present investigation, we selected a native fish species in the Pearl River Basin in China, Mugilogobius abei (M. abei), to study the effects of SV on non-target aquatic organisms. Results showed that a significant decrease in the volume of adipocytes under SV exposure were observed on oil red O section, and the expression of HMG-CoAR decreased significantly. The mRNA and protein expression of PPARα were significantly up-regulated, the expressions of other genes related to lipid metabolism were up-regulated to varying degrees as well. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of SV and the protein expressions of plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and cholesterolester transfer protein (CETP). In addition, the frozen sections showed that SV led to ROS accumulation in liver in a time and concentration dependent manner. The mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 were significantly up-regulated after 24 hours of SV exposure. Some biomarkers associated with antioxidant such as Trx2, TrxR and MDA content were positively correlated with the exposure concentration and time, while the content of GSH decreased sharply. It is noteworthy that the environmentally relevant concentration (0.5 μg/L) of SV exposure caused delayed embryonic development and deformations, decreased hatching rates. We conclude that SV promotes fat metabolism, gives rise to oxidative stress and has significant toxicity on embryo development in M. abei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Tianli Tang
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yimeng Wang
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiangping Nie
- Department of Ecology/Hydrobiology Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Red Tide Prevention of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kaibin Li
- Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
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Koch J, De Schamphelaere KAC. Making Sense of Life-History Effects of the Antidepressant Citalopram in the Copepod Nitocra spinipes Using a Bioenergetics Model. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1928-1939. [PMID: 33760263 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The global consumption of human antidepressants has steadily increased over the last years. The most widely prescribed antidepressants are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have been linked to various life-history effects in nontarget organisms. We investigated the effects of the SSRI citalopram hydrobromide on the life history of the copepod Nitocra spinipes. Slight but significant developmental delay effects were observed at nominal concentrations of 0.1 and 1 µg/L, with stronger effects occurring at measured concentrations of 178 µg/L and above. At 77 µg/L and above, a significant increase in adult body length and offspring production/brood was found, although the time between brood releases remained unaffected. The pre-adult surviving fraction was significantly reduced (by 44%) at 765 µg/L. For a mechanistic evaluation of these observations, we used a bioenergetics model for N. spinipes based on the dynamic energy budget theory. Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic submodels were used to dynamically simulate the chemical uptake and elimination, as well as dose-response relationships for hypothetical physiological modes of action and survival over time. Although none of the commonly invoked physiological modes of action, acting on assimilation, maintenance, growth, or offspring production, could explain the observed combination of effects, a newly proposed physiological mode of action acting on the process of maturation delivered correct predictions in terms of each effect's direction. The model fits could be further improved by allowing for a gentler concentration-effect slope and by adding an auxiliary physiological mode of action acting on the reproduction efficiency. The quantitative explanations provided in the present study offer a starting point for exploratory simulation studies investigating the effects of SSRIs at higher ecological levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1928-1939. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Koch
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Toxicology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium
| | - Karel A C De Schamphelaere
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Toxicology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium
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Alves N, Neuparth T, Barros S, Santos MM. The anti-lipidemic drug simvastatin modifies epigenetic biomarkers in the amphipod Gammarus locusta. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 209:111849. [PMID: 33387775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The adverse effects of certain environmental chemicals have been recently associated with the modulation of the epigenome. Although changes in the epigenetic signature have yet to be integrated into hazard and risk assessment, they are interesting candidates to link environmental exposures and altered phenotypes, since these changes may be passed across multiple non-exposed generations. Here, we addressed the effects of simvastatin (SIM), one of the most prescribed pharmaceuticals in the world, on epigenetic regulation using the amphipod Gammarus locusta as a proxy, to support its integration into hazard and environmental risk assessment. SIM is a known modulator of the epigenome in mammalian cell lines and has been reported to impact G. locusta ecological endpoints at environmentally relevant levels. G. locusta juveniles were exposed to three SIM environmentally relevant concentrations (0.32, 1.6 and 8 µg L-1) for 15 days. Gene transcription levels of selected epigenetic regulators, i.e., dnmt1, dmap1, usp7, kat5 and uhrf1 were assessed, along with the quantification of DNA methylation levels and evaluation of key ecological endpoints: survival and growth. Exposure to 0.32 and 8 µg L-1 SIM induced significant downregulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (dnmt1), concomitant with global DNA hypomethylation and growth impacts. Overall, this work is the first to validate the basal expression of key epigenetic regulators in a keystone marine crustacean, supporting the integration of epigenetic biomarkers into hazard assessment frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nélson Alves
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre nº 1021/1055, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Neuparth
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Susana Barros
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre nº 1021/1055, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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8
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Rebelo D, Correia AT, Nunes B. Acute and chronic effects of environmental realistic concentrations of simvastatin in danio rerio: evidences of oxidative alterations and endocrine disruptive activity. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 81:103522. [PMID: 33144098 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Due to their wide use, pharmaceuticals can be discarded, metabolized and excreted into the environment, potentially affecting aquatic organisms. Lipid-regulating drugs are among the most prescribed medications around the world, to control human cholesterol levels, in more than 20 million patients. Despite this massive use of lipid-regulating drugs, particularly simvastatin, the role of these drugs is not fully characterized and understood in terms of its potential toxicological effects at the environmental level. This work intended to characterize the toxicity of an acute (120 h post-fertilization) and chronic (60 days) exposure to the antihyperlipidemic drug simvastatin (in concentrations of 92.45, 184.9, 369.8, 739.6 and 1479.2 ng L-1), in the freshwater species zebrafish (Danio rerio). The concentrations hereby mentioned were implemented in both exposures, and were based on levels found in wastewater treatment plant influents (11.7 ± 3.2 μg L-1), effluents (2.65 ± 0.8 μg L-1) and Apies River (1.585 ± 0.3 μg L-1), located in Pretoria, South Africa and, particularly in the maximum levels found in effluents from wastewater treatment plants in Portugal (369.8 ng L-1). The acute effects were analysed focusing on behavioural endpoints (erratic and purposeful swimming), total distance travelled and swimming time), biomarkers of oxidative stress (the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), biotransformation (the activity of glutathione S-transferases) and lipid peroxidation (levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). Animals chronically exposed were also histologically analysed for sex determination and gonadal developmental stages identification. In terms of acute exposure, significant alterations were reported in terms of behavioural alterations (hyperactivity), followed by a general reduction in all tested biomarkers. Also, the analysis of chronically exposed fish evidenced no alterations in sex ratio and maturation stages. In addition, the analysis of chronically exposed fish evidenced no alterations in terms of sexual characteristics, suggesting that the chronic exposure of Danio rerio to simvastatin does not alter the sex ratio and maturation stages of individuals. This assumption suggests that simvastatin did not act as an endocrine disruptor. Moreover, the metabolism, neuronal interactions and the antioxidant properties of SIM seem to have modulated the hereby-mentioned results of toxicity. Results from this assay allow inferring that simvastatin can have an ecologically relevant impact in living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rebelo
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A T Correia
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4550-208, Matosinhos, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Rua Carlos da Maia 296, 4200-150, Porto, Portugal
| | - B Nunes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Jacob RS, Araújo CVM, Santos LVDS, Moreira VR, Lebron YAR, Lange LC. The environmental risks of pharmaceuticals beyond traditional toxic effects: Chemical differences that can repel or entrap aquatic organisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 268:115902. [PMID: 33160736 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the risks of four different pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs; diazepam, metformin, omeprazole and simvastatin). Acute and chronic toxicities were studied using the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and the microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata; while the repellency and attractiveness were assessed by avoidance tests with juvenile Cypirinus carpio using a multi-compartmented exposure system. Omeprazole was found to be an acutely toxic drug (EC50: 0.015 mg/L), while the other PhACs, except simvastatin, showed some chronic toxicity. Regarding avoidance, simvastatin and omeprazole induced an escape response for 50% of the fish population at 0.032 and 0.144 mg/L, respectively; contrarily, diazepam was attractive, even at lethal concentrations, representing a dangerous trap for organisms. The toxicity of the PhACs seemed not to be directly related to their repellency; and the mode of action seems to determine the repellency or attractiveness of the chemicals. Contamination by PhACs is of concern due to the environmental disturbance they might cause, either due to their acute and chronic toxicity (at the individual level), repellency (at the ecosystem level: loss of local biodiversity) or attraction to potentially lethal levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Sampaio Jacob
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil; Civil Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, ZIP 30.535-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Cristiano V M Araújo
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (CSIC). Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, 11519, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Lucilaine Valéria de Souza Santos
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil; Chemical Engineering Department - Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, ZIP 30.535-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Victor Rezende Moreira
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
| | - Yuri Abner Rocha Lebron
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
| | - Liséte Celina Lange
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
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Jacob RS, de Souza Santos LV, d'Auriol M, Lebron YAR, Moreira VR, Lange LC. Diazepam, metformin, omeprazole and simvastatin: a full discussion of individual and mixture acute toxicity. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:1062-1071. [PMID: 32588236 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02239-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
High consumption of drugs, combined with their presence in the environment, raises concerns about its consequences. Even though researches are often engaged in analyzing substances separately, that is not the environmental reality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity of the pharmaceuticals simvastatin, metformin, omeprazole and diazepam, and all possible mixtures between them, to the organism Aliivibrio fischeri, verifying possible synergistic or antagonistic effects and assessing byproducts formation. In terms of individual toxicity, omeprazole is the most toxic of the active ingredients, followed by simvastatin, diazepam and, finally, metformin. When the toxicity of mixtures was tested, synergism, antagonism and hormesis were perceived, most probably generated due to byproducts formation. Moreover, it was observed that even when compounds are at concentrations below the non-observed effect concentration (NOEC), there may be toxicity to the mixture. Hence, this work points to the urgent need for more studies involving mixtures, since chemicals are subject to interactions and modifications, can mix, and potentiate or nullify the toxic effect of each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Sampaio Jacob
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil.
- Civil Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, ZIP 30.535-901, Brazil.
| | - Lucilaine Valéria de Souza Santos
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
- Chemical Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, ZIP 30.535-901, Brazil
| | - Mirna d'Auriol
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
| | - Yuri Abner Rocha Lebron
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
| | - Victor Rezende Moreira
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
| | - Liséte Celina Lange
- Sanitation and Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenue Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, MG, Brazil
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11
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Pereira A, Silva L, Laranjeiro C, Lino C, Pena A. Selected Pharmaceuticals in Different Aquatic Compartments: Part II-Toxicity and Environmental Risk Assessment. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081796. [PMID: 32295269 PMCID: PMC7221825 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Potential risks associated with releases of human pharmaceuticals into the environment have become an increasingly important issue in environmental health. This concern has been driven by the widespread detection of pharmaceuticals in all aquatic compartments. Therefore, 22 pharmaceuticals, 6 metabolites and transformation products, belonging to 7 therapeutic groups, were selected to perform a review on their toxicity and environmental risk assessment (ERA) in different aquatic compartments, important issues to tackle the water framework directive (WFD). The toxicity data collected reported, with the exception of anxiolytics, at least one toxicity value for concentrations below 1 µg L−1. The results obtained for the ERA revealed risk quotients (RQs) higher than 1 in all the aquatic bodies and for the three trophic levels, algae, invertebrates and fish, posing ecotoxicological pressure in all of these compartments. The therapeutic groups with higher RQs were hormones, antiepileptics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Unsurprisingly, RQs values were highest in wastewaters, however, less contaminated water bodies such as groundwaters still presented maximum values up to 91,150 regarding 17α-ethinylestradiol in fish. Overall, these results present an important input for setting prioritizing measures and sustainable strategies, minimizing their impact in the aquatic environment.
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12
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Liu Y, Ding R, Pan B, Wang L, Liu S, Nie X. Simvastatin affect the expression of detoxification-related genes and enzymes in Daphnia magna and alter its life history parameters. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 182:109389. [PMID: 31272027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Simvastatin (SV), as an hypocholesterolaemic drug, has been detected in various aquatic environment. However, limited information is available on the effects of SV on freshwater invertebrates. In the present study, we investigated the toxic effects of SV on Daphnia. magna (D. magna) through measuring the physiological changes (e.g., survival, growth rate, and reproduction) in a 21-d chronic toxicity test We also determined the expression of seven detoxification and reproduction-related genes (i.e. HR96, P-gp, CYP360A8, GST, CYP314, EcR and Vtg) and several enzymes (i.e. APND, ERND, GST and CAT) in a acute test (24 h). Results showed that high concentration (e.g. 50 μg L-1) of SV for short time exposure (e.g. 24 h) significantly induced the expression of HR96 and P-gp (e.g. up to 2.5 folds)and enzymes (e.g. increasing 4.0 folds for ERND and GST activity) in D. magna.. The long-term chronic exposure (21 days) may cause the changes of life history parameters such as decreasing total egg production number per individual and intrinsic growth rates etc. SV may act as a potential endocrine disruptor to D. magna and the reproduction parameters were more sensitive endpoints than the survival and growth for evaluating SV exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Ecology/Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Ecology/Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Benben Pan
- Department of Ecology/Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Ecology/Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sijia Liu
- Department of Ecology/Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiangping Nie
- Department of Ecology/Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Eutrophication and Red Tide Prevention of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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13
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Yoon DS, Park JC, Park HG, Lee JS, Han J. Effects of atrazine on life parameters, oxidative stress, and ecdysteroid biosynthetic pathway in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 213:105213. [PMID: 31200332 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine is a widely used pesticide which acts as an endocrine disruptor in various organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate adverse effects of atrazine on life parameters, oxidative stress, and ecdysteroid biosynthetic pathway in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. In T. japonicus, no mortality was shown in response to atrazine up to 20 mg/L in acute toxicity assessment. In nauplii, retardation in the growth and prolonged molting and metamorphosis resulted under chronic exposure of atrazine at 20 mg/L. In addition, body sizes of T. japonicus nauplii were significantly decreased (P < 0.01 in length and P < 0.001 in width) in response to 20 mg/L of atrazine. Furthermore, atrazine induced oxidative stress by the generation of reactive oxygen species at all concentrations compared to the control in the nauplii. Also, significant increase in glutathione-S transferase activity was observed in adult T. japonicus at low concentration of atrazine. To understand effects of atrazine on ecdysteroid biosynthetic pathway-involved genes (e.g., neverland, CYP307E1, CYP306A1, CYP302A1, CYP3022A1 [CYP315A1], CYP314A1, and CYP18D1) were examined with mRNA expressions of ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP) in response to 20 mg/L atrazine in nauplii and adults. In the nauplii, these genes were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05) in response to atrazine, compared to the control but not in the adult T. japonicus. These results suggest that atrazine can interfere in vivo life parameters by oxidative stress-induced retrogression and ecdysteroid biosynthetic pathway in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deok-Seo Yoon
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Jun Chul Park
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Heum Gi Park
- Department of Marine Resource Development, College of Life Sciences, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, South Korea
| | - Jae-Seong Lee
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
| | - Jeonghoon Han
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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14
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Zhou J, Kang HM, Lee YH, Jeong CB, Park JC, Lee JS. Adverse effects of a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin on life parameters and antioxidant responses in the marine copepods Paracyclopina nana and Tigriopus japonicus. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 217:383-392. [PMID: 30419392 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To find the adverse effects induced by cypermethrin, the ecotoxicological model copepods Tigriopus japonicus and Paracyclopina nana were exposed under cypermethrin, which is a widely used type-II pyrethroid insecticide in agriculture. Despite its large-scale application as insecticide in agriculture, little information is available on its adverse effects on aquatic invertebrates. In this study, the toxicity of cypermethrin on two copepods was assessed based on life parameters (growth rate and reproduction), oxidative stress and consequent antioxidant enzymatic activities, and gene expression profiles of antioxidants. The acute toxicity alone demonstrated that P. nana is less tolerant and sensitive against cypermethrin, compared to T. japonicus. However, under chronic exposure, life parameters of both P. nana and T. japonicus were severely affected by cypermethrin. Among antioxidant enzymatic activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), in particular, demonstrated significant increase in response to cypermethrin. Furthermore, temporal-mRNA expression profile showed modulations in antioxidant related genes in response to cypermethrin. Our results provide the underlying toxic mechanism of cypermethrin and the oxidative stress defense mechanism and species-specific tolerance against cypermethrin in two model copepods species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Zhou
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Hye-Min Kang
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Young Hwan Lee
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Chang-Bum Jeong
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Jun Chul Park
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
| | - Jae-Seong Lee
- Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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15
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Lode T, Heuschele J, Andersen T, Titelman J, Hylland K, Borgå K. Predation Risk Potentiates Toxicity of a Common Metal Contaminant in a Coastal Copepod. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13535-13542. [PMID: 30338992 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To examine whether natural stressors like predation risk affect responses to anthropogenic contaminants, we exposed nauplii of the copepod Tigriopus brevicornis to chemical cues from fish (kairomones) and copper (Cu). We tested effects of these treatments, singly and combined, on copepod age and size at maturity, and development stage sensitivity, while controlling for effects of genetic heterogeneity (clutch identity). Predation risk, Cu and clutch identity interacted in their effect on development time. Predation risk alone had minor effects, but potentiated Cu toxicity in the combined treatment by doubling the delay in age at maturity, as compared to Cu exposure alone. This potentiating effect on developmental delay appeared already at the first copepodite stage. The specific strength of response varied among nauplii from different females' clutches. There were no differences in copepod size at maturity among treatments. We did, however, find an interaction between the effect of Cu and clutch identity on copepod growth. Our results demonstrate the importance of ecological interactions for potentiating the toxicity of environmental contaminants. We also demonstrate the need to consider genetic heterogeneity in ecotoxicology. Natural variation in stressor responses has implications for the interpretation of results from toxicological studies using single-clone or inbred culture populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Lode
- Department of Biosciences , University of Oslo , P.O box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway
| | - Jan Heuschele
- Department of Biosciences , University of Oslo , P.O box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway
| | - Tom Andersen
- Department of Biosciences , University of Oslo , P.O box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway
| | - Josefin Titelman
- Department of Biosciences , University of Oslo , P.O box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway
| | - Ketil Hylland
- Department of Biosciences , University of Oslo , P.O box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences , University of Oslo , P.O box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway
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16
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Mezzelani M, Gorbi S, Regoli F. Pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environments: Evidence of emerged threat and future challenges for marine organisms. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 140:41-60. [PMID: 29859717 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are nowadays recognized as a threat for aquatic ecosystems. The growing consumption of these compounds and the enhancement of human health in the past two decades have been paralleled by the continuous input of such biologically active molecules in natural environments. Waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as a major route for release of pharmaceuticals in aquatic bodies where concentrations ranging from ng/L to μg/L are ubiquitously detected. Since medicines principles are designed to be effective at very low concentrations, they have the potential to interfere with biochemical and physiological processes of aquatic species over their entire life cycle. Investigations on occurrence, bioaccumulation and effects in non target organisms are fragmentary, particularly for marine ecosystems, and related to only a limited number over the 4000 substances classified as pharmaceuticals: hence, there is a urgent need to prioritize the environmental sustainability of the most relevant compounds. The aim of this review is to summarize the main adverse effects documented for marine species exposed in both field and laboratory conditions to different classes of pharmaceuticals including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, psychiatric, cardiovascular, hypocholesterolaemic drugs, steroid hormones and antibiotics. Despite a great scientific advancement has been achieved, our knowledge is still limited on pharmaceuticals behavior in chemical mixtures, as well as their interactions with other environmental stressors. Complex ecotoxicological effects are increasingly documented and multidisciplinary, integrated approaches will be helpful to clarify the environmental hazard of these "emerged" pollutants in marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Mezzelani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefania Gorbi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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17
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Barros S, Montes R, Quintana JB, Rodil R, André A, Capitão A, Soares J, Santos MM, Neuparth T. Chronic environmentally relevant levels of simvastatin disrupt embryonic development, biochemical and molecular responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 201:47-57. [PMID: 29879595 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Simvastatin (SIM), a hypocholesterolaemic compound, is among the most prescribed pharmaceuticals for cardiovascular disease prevention worldwide. Several studies have shown that acute exposure to SIM causes multiple adverse effects in aquatic organisms. However, uncertainties still remain regarding the chronic effects of SIM in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of SIM in the model freshwater teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio) following a chronic exposure (90 days) to environmentally relevant concentrations ranging from 8 ng/L to 1000 ng/L. This study used a multi-parameter approach integrating distinct ecologically-relevant endpoints, i.e. survival, growth, reproduction and embryonic development, with biochemical markers (cholesterol and triglycerides). Real Time PCR was used to analyse the transcription levels of key genes involved in the mevalonate pathway (hmgcra, cyp51, and dhcr7). Globally, SIM induced several effects that did not follow a dose-response relationship; embryonic development, biochemical and molecular markers, were significantly impacted in the lower concentrations, 8 ng/L, 40 ng/L and/or 200 ng/L, whereas no effects were recorded for the highest tested SIM levels (1000 ng/L). Taken together, these findings expand our understanding of statin effects in teleosts, demonstrating significant impacts at environmentally relevant concentrations and highlight the importance of addressing the effects of chemicals under chronic low-level concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Barros
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Rosa Montes
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA-Institute for Food Analysis and Research, University of Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA-Institute for Food Analysis and Research, University of Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosario Rodil
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA-Institute for Food Analysis and Research, University of Santiago de Compostela, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana André
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ana Capitão
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Joana Soares
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (U. Porto), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Teresa Neuparth
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants Group, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
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18
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Sikder M, Eudy E, Chandler GT, Baalousha M. Comparative study of dissolved and nanoparticulate Ag effects on the life cycle of an estuarine meiobenthic copepod, Amphiascus tenuiremis. Nanotoxicology 2018; 12:375-389. [DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2018.1451568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mithun Sikder
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk (CENR), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Emily Eudy
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk (CENR), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - G. Thomas Chandler
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk (CENR), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Mohammed Baalousha
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk (CENR), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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19
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Picone M, Bergamin M, Delaney E, Ghirardini AV, Kusk KO. Testing lagoonal sediments with early life stages of the copepod Acartia tonsa (Dana): An approach to assess sediment toxicity in the Venice Lagoon. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 147:217-227. [PMID: 28843531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The early-life stages of development of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa from egg to copepodite I is proposed as an endpoint for assessing sediment toxicity by exposing newly released eggs directly onto the sediment-water interface. A preliminary study of 5 sediment samples collected in the lagoon of Venice highlighted that the larval development rate (LDR) and the early-life stages (ELS) mortality endpoints with A. tonsa are more sensitive than the standard amphipod mortality test; moreover LDR resulted in a more reliable endpoint than ELS mortality, due to the interference of the sediment with the recovery of unhatched eggs and dead larvae. The LDR data collected in a definitive study of 48 sediment samples from the Venice Lagoon has been analysed together with the preliminary data to evaluate the statistical performances of the bioassay (among replicate variance and minimum significant difference between samples and control) and to investigate the possible correlation with sediment chemistry and physical properties. The results showed that statistical performances of the LDR test with A. tonsa correspond with the outcomes of other tests applied to the sediment-water interface (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryotoxicity test), sediments (Neanthes arenaceodentata survival and growth test) and porewater (S. purpuratus); the LDR endpoint did, however, show a slightly higher variance as compared with other tests used in the Lagoon of Venice, such as 10-d amphipod lethality test and larval development with sea urchin and bivalves embryos. Sediment toxicity data highlighted the high sensitivity and the clear ability of the larval development to discriminate among sediments characterized by different levels of contamination. The data of the definitive study evidenced that inhibition of the larval development was not affected by grain-size and the organic carbon content of the sediment; in contrast, a strong correlation between inhibition of the larval development and the sediment concentrations of some metals (Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn), acid-volatile sulphides (AVS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was found. No correlation was found with DDTs, hexachlorobenzene and organotin compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Picone
- Thetis S.p.A., Castello 2737/f, I-30122 Venice, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, Mestre, I-30170 Venice, Italy.
| | | | | | - Annamaria Volpi Ghirardini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, Mestre, I-30170 Venice, Italy
| | - Kresten Ole Kusk
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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20
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Ribbenstedt A, Mustajärvi L, Breitholtz M, Gorokhova E, Mayer P, Sobek A. Passive dosing of triclosan in multigeneration tests with copepods - stable exposure concentrations and effects at the low μg/L range. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:1254-1260. [PMID: 27731510 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicity testing is a crucial component of chemical risk assessment. Still, due to methodological difficulties related to controlling exposure concentrations over time, data on long-term effects of organic chemicals at low concentrations are limited. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to test the applicability of passive dosing to maintain stable concentrations of the organochlorine bacteriocide triclosan in the water phase during a 6-wk multigeneration population development test with the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes. Triclosan was loaded into silicone (1000 mg), which was used as passive dosing phase in the exposure vials. The distribution ratio for triclosan between silicone and water (Dsilicone-water ) was 10466 ± 1927. A population development test was conducted at 3 concentration levels of triclosan that were measured to be 3 μg/L to 5 μg/L, 7 μg/L to 11 μg/L and 16 μg/L to 26 μg/L. The results demonstrate that passive dosing is applicable for long-term ecotoxicity testing of organic chemicals, including during significant growth of the test organism population. Shifts in the demographic structure of the population during exposure suggest the most severe effects were exerted on juvenile development. Progressively lower development index values in the populations exposed to increasing triclosan concentrations suggest developmental retardation. The results further stress the need for chronic exposure during ecotoxicity testing in chemical risk assessment because even the most sensitive endpoint was not significant until after 7 d of exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1254-1260. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Ribbenstedt
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lukas Mustajärvi
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Breitholtz
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Gorokhova
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philipp Mayer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Sobek
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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21
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Jacob RS, Santos LVDS, de Souza AFR, Lange LC. A toxicity assessment of 30 pharmaceuticals using Aliivibrio fischeri: a comparison of the acute effects of different formulations. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2016; 37:2760-2767. [PMID: 27020342 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2016.1164249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Considerable quantities of different classes of drugs are consumed annually worldwide. These drugs, once disposed, often remain stable, even after conventional or advanced treatments. Although there have been a number of studies on the potential harm caused by drugs when released into the environment, few studies have investigated the toxicity of pharmaceutical excipients. In the present study, the acute toxicity of 30 drugs was tested to Aliivibrio fischeri. Ten different active ingredients were investigated, each in three distinct formulations: generic, similar and reference (brand drug). The aim of the study was to evaluate the harmful potential of drugs frequently sold in drugstores and to assess the contribution of excipients towards the observed acute toxicity. Within the 10 drugs evaluated, only one, dexchlorpheniramine maleate, was not toxic in any formulation. The toxicities of the three formulations were often different, even though the active ingredient has been the same. For some drugs, such as diazepam, glibenclamide, metformin, nimesulide, hydrochlorothiazide and simvastatin, only one or two of the three formulations tested were toxic to A. fischeri. These results highlight the toxicological potential of drug excipients, but not exclusively the toxicity of the active ingredients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Sampaio Jacob
- a Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering , Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , MG , Brazil
| | | | - Ana Flávia Rodrigues de Souza
- a Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering , Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , MG , Brazil
| | - Liséte Celina Lange
- a Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering , Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , MG , Brazil
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Cunha V, Santos MM, Moradas-Ferreira P, Ferreira M. Simvastatin effects on detoxification mechanisms in Danio rerio embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:10615-10629. [PMID: 27040680 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6547-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The transcription and protein activity of defence mechanisms such as ABC transporters, phase I and II of cellular detoxification and antioxidant enzymes can be altered in the presence of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals impacting the overall detoxification mechanism. The present work aimed to characterise the effects of simvastatin on the detoxification mechanisms of embryonic stages of Danio rerio. In a first approach, constitutive transcription of key genes involved in detoxification was determined. Embryos were collected at different developmental stages, and transcription patterns of genes coding for ABC transporters, phase I and II and oxidative stress were analysed. With exception of abcc2, all genes seem to be from maternal transfer (0-2 hpf). Embryos were then exposed to different concentrations of simvastatin (5 and 50 μg/L), verapamil and MK571 (10 μM; ABC protein inhibitors) and a combination of simvastatin and ABC inhibitors. mRNA expression levels of abcb4, abcc1, abcc2, abcg2, cyp1a, cyp3a65, gst, sod, cat was evaluated. Accumulation assays to measure ABC proteins activity and activity of EROD, GST, CAT and Cu/ZnSOD, were also undertaken. Simvastatin acted as a weak inhibitor of ABC proteins and increased EROD and GST activity, whereas Cu/ZnSOD and CAT activity were decreased. Simvastatin up-regulated abcb4 and cyp3a65 transcription (both concentrations), as well as abcc1 and abcc2 at 50 μg/L, and down-regulated gst, sod, cat at 5 μg/L. In conclusion, our data revealed the interaction of simvastatin with detoxification mechanisms highlighting the importance of monitoring the presence of this emerging contaminant in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Cunha
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Coastal and Marine Environmental Toxicology Lab, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal.
- ICBAS/UP-Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - M M Santos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Coastal and Marine Environmental Toxicology Lab, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
- FCUP-Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Moradas-Ferreira
- ICBAS/UP-Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- I3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Ferreira
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Coastal and Marine Environmental Toxicology Lab, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
- School of Marine Studies, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment, The University of South Pacific, Laucala Bay Road, Suva, Fiji Islands
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Santos MM, Ruivo R, Lopes-Marques M, Torres T, de los Santos CB, Castro LFC, Neuparth T. Statins: An undesirable class of aquatic contaminants? AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 174:1-9. [PMID: 26896816 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, may pose a considerable environment risk. Hypocholesterolaemic drugs such as statins are among the most prescribed human pharmaceuticals in western European countries. In vertebrates, this therapeutic class disrupts the cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), responsible for the limiting step in the mevalonate pathway. Recently, functional studies have shown that statins competitively inhibit HMGR in vertebrates and arthropods, two taxa that have diverged over 450 million years ago. Importantly, chronic simvastatin exposure disrupts crustacean reproduction and development at environmentally relevant concentrations. Hence, a fundamental question emerges: what is the taxonomic scope of statins-induced HMGR inhibition across metazoans? Here, we address this central question in a large sampling of metazoans using comparative genomics, homology modelling and molecular docking. Sequence alignment of metazoan HMGRs allowed the annotation of highly conserved catalytic, co-factor and substrate binding sites, including residues highjacked for statin binding. Furthermore, molecular docking shows that the catalytic domains of metazoan HMGRs are highly conserved regarding interactions, not only with HMG-CoA, but also with both simvastatin and atorvastatin, the top prescribed statins in Europe and USA. Hence, the data indicates that both statins are expected to competitively inhibit metazoan's HMGRs, and therefore all metazoan taxa might be at risk. The environmental relevance of these findings are discussed and research priorities established. We believe that the conceptual framework used in this study can be applied to other emerging pollutants and assist in the design of toxicity testing and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; FCUP-Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Lopes-Marques
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS, Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tiago Torres
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen B de los Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; FCUP-Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Neuparth
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, LA-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Groups of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and Animal Genetics and Evolution, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
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24
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Ribeiro S, Torres T, Martins R, Santos MM. Toxicity screening of diclofenac, propranolol, sertraline and simvastatin using Danio rerio and Paracentrotus lividus embryo bioassays. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 114:67-74. [PMID: 25615533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Early life-stage bioassays have been used as an alternative to short-term adult toxicity tests since they are cost-effective. A single couple can produce hundreds or thousands of embryos and hence can be used as a simple high-throughput approach in toxicity studies. In the present study, zebrafish and sea urchin embryo bioassays were used to test the toxicity of four pharmaceuticals belonging to different therapeutic classes: diclofenac, propranolol, simvastatin and sertraline. Simvastatin was the most toxic tested compound for zebrafish embryo, followed by diclofenac. Sertraline was the most toxic drug to sea urchin embryos, inducing development abnormalities at the ng/L range. Overall, our results highlight the potential of sea urchin embryo bioassay as a promising and sensitive approach for the high-throughput methods to test the toxicity of new chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, and identify several drugs that should go through more detailed toxicity assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Ribeiro
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Tiago Torres
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rosário Martins
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Saúde do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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25
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Pereira AMPT, Silva LJG, Meisel LM, Lino CM, Pena A. Environmental impact of pharmaceuticals from Portuguese wastewaters: geographical and seasonal occurrence, removal and risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 136:108-19. [PMID: 25460627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence, fate, geographical and seasonal influence and environmental risk assessment of eleven of the most consumed pharmaceuticals in Portugal were studied in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) influents and (WWI) and effluents (WWE). WWI and WWE samples, from two sampling campaigns (spring and summer), in 2013, were evaluated in 15 different WWTPs across the country, by solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass detection (LC-MS-MS). Lipid regulators were the most frequently found in WWI and WWE (184.1 and 22.3mg/day/1000 inhab., respectively), followed by anti-inflammatories (1339.4 and 15.0mg/day/1000 inhab., respectively), and antibiotics (330.7 and 68.6 mg/day/1000 inhab., respectively). Anxiolytics were the least detected with 3.3 and 3.4 mg/day/1000 inhab. in WWI and WWE, respectively. The mass loads, both in WWI and WWE, were higher in summer than those found during the spring season, being remarkable the high values registered in a region where population triplicates in this time of the year. The mean removal efficiency achieved was of 94.5%, nonetheless, between the different therapeutic groups, as well as within each group, important variations in removal were observed, going from not eliminated to 100%. In the summer higher efficiencies were observed regarding lipid regulators and antibiotics. Furthermore, an important outcome was the evaluation, by means of risk quotients (RQs), of the potential ecotoxicological risk posed by the selected pharmaceuticals to different aquatic organisms, exposed to the effluents studied. Ciprofloxacin, bezafibrate, gemfibrozil, simvastatin and diclofenac showed RQs higher than one, being expected that these pharmaceuticals might pose a threat to the three trophic levels (algae, daphnids and fish) evaluated. These results highlight the importance of these monitoring studies, as required by the Directive 2013/39/EU, in order to minimize their aquatic environmental contamination and support future prioritization measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- André M P T Pereira
- Group of Health Surveillance, Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Liliana J G Silva
- Group of Health Surveillance, Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Leonor M Meisel
- INFARMED, I.P.-National Authority of Medicines and Health Products, 1749-004 Lisboa, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Celeste M Lino
- Group of Health Surveillance, Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Angelina Pena
- Group of Health Surveillance, Center of Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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26
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Neuparth T, Martins C, Santos CBDL, Costa MH, Martins I, Costa PM, Santos MM. Hypocholesterolaemic pharmaceutical simvastatin disrupts reproduction and population growth of the amphipod Gammarus locusta at the ng/L range. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 155:337-347. [PMID: 25089922 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Simvastatin (SIM), a hypocholesterolaemic drug, is among the most widely used pharmaceuticals worldwide and is therefore of emerging environmental concern. Despite the ubiquitous nature of SIM in the aquatic ecosystems, significant uncertainties exist about sublethal effects of the drug in aquatic organisms. Therefore, here we aimed at investigating a multi-level biological response in the model amphipod Gammarus locusta, following chronic exposures to low levels of SIM (64 ng/L to 8 μg/L). The work integrated a battery of key endpoints at individual-level (survival, growth and reproduction) with histopathological biomarkers in hepatopancreas and gonads. Additionally, an individual-based population modelling was used to project the ecological costs associated with long-term exposure to SIM at the population level. SIM severely impacted growth, reproduction and gonad maturation of G. locusta, concomitantly to changes at the histological level. Among all analysed endpoints, reproduction was particularly sensitive to SIM with significant impact at 320 ng/L. These findings have important implications for environmental risk assessment and disclose new concerns about the effects of SIM in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Neuparth
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Carla Martins
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Carmen B de Los Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria H Costa
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Irene Martins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Pedro M Costa
- IMAR-Instituto do Mar, Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; FCUP-Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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27
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Krull M, Abessa DMS, Hatje V, Barros F. Integrated assessment of metal contamination in sediments from two tropical estuaries. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2014; 106:195-203. [PMID: 24853133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In order to evaluate if sediment metal contamination is responsible for benthic degradation and identify possible reference sites in Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), comparisons between a highly impacted (Subaé) and less impacted (Jaguaripe) estuarine systems were made based on (i) field assessment of macrobenthic assemblage, (ii) sediment metal concentrations and (iii) chronic toxicity test with the tropical copepod Nitokra sp. Data were integrated by multivariate analysis (BIOENV and PCA) and the ratio-to-mean (RTMe) approach. Estuaries were divided into four different salinity zones to avoid misclassification of benthic conditions. Salinity was the main variable correlated to the benthic distribution in both estuaries, indicating that categories based on salinity features seem to be suitable in TSB. Correspondence among lines of evidence differed in low and high metal contaminated systems. Chronic toxicity was found along both the entire systems, being considerably higher in Jaguaripe. However, there was no clear evidence of metal contamination and benthic alteration in most stations of Jaguaripe. Although the concentrations of Sr and Cu were correlated to the benthic assemblage in Jaguaripe, it is unlikely that toxicity has been caused by these elements. The benthic assemblage distribution of Jaguaripe seems to be rather related to natural stressful conditions of transitional waters. Even though the Jaguaripe estuary might not be pristine, it can be used as a reference estuary for benthic assessment in TSB. Regarding the Subaé estuary, toxicity and Zn were also correlated to the benthic assemblage and most stations showed signs of benthic alteration and metal contamination. All lines of evidence were in agreement providing evidences that metal contamination might be responsible for benthic degradation in Subaé.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Krull
- Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, PPGEcoBio, Instituto de Biologia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo s/n., Campus Ondina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, CEP 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Denis M S Abessa
- Núcleo de Estudos sobre Poluição e Ecotoxicologia Aquática, UNESP, Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista, São Vicente, SP, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Hatje
- Laboratório de Oceanografia Química, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, INCT de Ambientes Marinhos Tropicais, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Barros
- Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, PPGEcoBio, Instituto de Biologia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo s/n., Campus Ondina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, CEP 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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28
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Stringer TJ, Glover CN, Keesing V, Northcott GL, Gaw S, Tremblay LA. Development of acute and chronic sediment bioassays with the harpacticoid copepod Quinquelaophonte sp. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2014; 99:82-91. [PMID: 24176293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Reliable environmentally realistic bioassay methodologies are increasingly needed to assess the effects of environmental pollution. This study describes two estuarine sediment bioassays, one acute (96 h) and one chronic (14 d), with the New Zealand harpacticoid copepod Quinquelaophonte sp. utilising behavioural and reproductive endpoints. Spiked sediments were used to expose Quinquelaophonte sp. to three reference compounds representing important categories of estuarine chemical stressors: zinc (a metal), atrazine (a pesticide), and phenanthrene (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon). Acute-to-chronic ratios (ACR) were used to further characterise species responses. Acute sediment (sandy and low total organic content) 96 h EC50 values for the sublethal inhibition of mobility for zinc, atrazine and phenanthrene were 137, 5.4, and 2.6 µg/g, respectively. The chronic EC50 values for inhibition of reproduction (total offspring) were 54.5, 0.0083, and 0.067 µg/g for zinc, atrazine, and phenanthrene, respectively. For phenanthrene, a potentially novel mode of action was identified on reproduction. Quinquelaophonte sp. was found to be more sensitive than several other estuarine species indicating choice of test organism is important to characterising the effects of environmentally relevant levels of contamination. The bioassay sediment results demonstrate the sensitivity and suitability of Quinquelaophonte sp. as a tool for the assessment use of estuarine health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan J Stringer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.
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29
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Kim BM, Choi BS, Lee KW, Ki JS, Kim IC, Choi IY, Rhee JS, Lee JS. Expression profile analysis of antioxidative stress and developmental pathway genes in the manganese-exposed intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus with 6K oligochip. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 92:1214-1223. [PMID: 23714145 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) provides one of aquatic pollutants in marine ecosystem. Here we used a 6K oligomicroarray to identify the effect of Mn on transcriptomes in the copepod Tigriopus japonicus. A total of 5594 spots were significantly modulated on a 6K oligomicroarray with hierarchical clustering after exposure to Mn over 24h. Of them, 186 and 489 genes were significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Particularly, several genes involved in stress, detoxification, and developmental functions were significantly modulated in T. japonicus exposed for 24h. In detail, Mn exposure specifically up-regulated genes that were related to intracellular stress, antioxidant, and detoxification pathways such as cytochrome P450s (CYPs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and heat shock proteins (hsps), while a majority of downregulated genes was associated with developmental pathways such as cuticle protein, ecdysone receptor, and vitellogenin. These results demonstrated that Mn exposure modulated gene expression in relation to intracellular stress, leading to developmental retardation in the intertidal copepod, T. japonicus, and provide a better understanding of mechanistic molecular studies of Mn-induced cellular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Mi Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, South Korea
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Romano N, Zeng C. Toxic Effects of Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate to Decapod Crustaceans: A Review on Factors Influencing their Toxicity, Physiological Consequences, and Coping Mechanisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/10641262.2012.753404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Ottmar KJ, Colosi LM, Smith JA. Fate and transport of atorvastatin and simvastatin drugs during conventional wastewater treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 88:1184-1189. [PMID: 22537890 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.03.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 03/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This research investigates the environmental behavior of two widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin drugs that are expected to be present at significant concentrations in wastewater influents, namely: atorvastatin and simvastatin. Batch biodegradation experiments suggest that both statins are well degraded during secondary treatment, and removal rates exhibit a substrate-enhancement model reflecting elements of both first-order behavior and cometabolism. Resulting biodegradation parameters are used in conjunction with literature sorption parameters to construct a mass-balance model of statin concentrations during conventional treatment. Model results exhibit excellent accuracy compared to measurements from a medium-sized WWTP in the Southeastern USA. Influent concentrations of 1.56 μg L(-1) and 1.23 μg L(-1) were measured for atorvastatin and simvastatin. Results also suggest that 85-90% of each drug is removed during conventional treatment, with sorption accounting for less than 10% of overall removal. Expected effluent concentrations are orders of magnitude less than previously reported ecotoxicity thresholds for both drugs. Overall, results suggest statin active ingredients do not pose a significant environmental threat. It is recommended that future work characterize the fate of statin metabolites and that the same mass-balance modeling approach be used to assess other highly-prescribed pharmaceutical drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl J Ottmar
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia, PO Box 400742, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4742, USA.
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Breitholtz M, Näslund M, Stråe D, Borg H, Grabic R, Fick J. An evaluation of free water surface wetlands as tertiary sewage water treatment of micro-pollutants. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2012; 78:63-71. [PMID: 22192709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Increased attention is currently directed towards potential negative effects of pharmaceuticals and other micro-pollutants discharged into the aquatic environment via municipal sewage water. A number of additional treatment technologies, such as ozonation, have therefore been suggested as promising tools for improving the removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals in existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). Constructed wetlands are also capable of removing a variety of micro-pollutants, including some pharmaceuticals, and could hence be a resource efficient complement to more advanced treatment technologies. The purpose of the present study was therefore to increase the knowledge base concerning the potential use of constructed wetlands as a treatment step to reduce emissions of organic micro-pollutants from municipal sewage effluents. Under cold winter conditions, incoming and outgoing waters from four Swedish free water surface wetlands, operated as final treatment steps of sewage effluent from municipal STPs, were sampled and analyzed for levels of a set of 92 pharmaceuticals and 22 inorganic components as well as assessed using subchronic ecotoxicity tests with a macro-alga and a crustacean. Sixty-five pharmaceuticals were detected in the range from 1 ng L(-1) to 7.6 μg L(-1) in incoming and outgoing waters from the four investigated wetlands. Although the sampling design used in the present study lacks the robustness of volume proportional to 24h composite samples, the average estimated removal rates ranged from 42% to 52%, which correlates to previous published values. The effects observed in the ecotoxicity tests with the macro-alga (EC(50)s in the range of 7.5-46%) and the crustacean (LOECs in the range of 11.25-90%) could not be assigned to either pharmaceutical residues or metals, but in general showed that these treatment facilities release water with a relatively low toxic potential, comparable to water that has been treated with advanced tertiary treatments. From the present study it can be concluded that constructed wetlands may provide a complementary sewage treatment option, especially where other treatment is lacking today. To fully remove micro-pollutants from sewage effluent, however, other more advanced treatment technologies are likely needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Breitholtz
- Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM), Stockholm University, Stockholm, SE-106 91, Sweden.
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Brausch JM, Connors KA, Brooks BW, Rand GM. Human pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment: a review of recent toxicological studies and considerations for toxicity testing. REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2012; 218:1-99. [PMID: 22488604 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3137-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Although an increasingly large amount of data exists on the acute and chronic aquatic toxicity of pharmaceuticals, numerous questions still remain. There remains a dearth of information pertaining to the chronic toxicity of bivalves, benthic invertebrates, fish, and endangered species, as well as study designs that examine mechanism-of-action (MOA)-based toxicity, in vitro and computational toxicity, and pharmaceutical mixtures. Studies examining acute toxicity are prolific in the published literature; therefore, we address many of the shortcomings in the literature by proposing "intelligent" well-designed aquatic toxicology studies that consider comparative pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. For example, few studies on the chronic responses of aquatic species to residues of pharmaceuticals have been performed, and very few on variables that are plausibly linked to any therapeutic MOA. Unfortunately, even less is understood about the metabolism of pharmaceuticals in aquatic organisms. Therefore, it is clear that toxicity testing at each tier of an ecological risk assessment scheme would be strengthened for some pharmaceuticals by selecting model organisms and endpoints to address ecologically problematic MOAs. We specifically recommend that future studies employ AOP approaches (Ankley et al. 2010) that leverage mammalian pharmacology information, including data on side effects and contraindications. Use of conceptual AOP models for pharmaceuticals can enhance future studies in ways that assist in the development of more definitive ecological risk assessments, identify chemical classes of concern, and help protect ecosystems that are affected by WWTP effluent discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Brausch
- Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory, Department of Earth and Environment, Southeastern Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
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Wiklund AKE, Breitholtz M, Bengtsson BE, Adolfsson-Erici M. Sucralose - an ecotoxicological challenger? CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 86:50-55. [PMID: 21955350 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.08.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Revised: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 08/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The non-calorie sweetener sucralose - sucrose containing three chlorine atoms - is intensively sweet and has become a popular substitute for sugar. Its widespread use, exceptional stability in combination with high water solubility have thus resulted in contamination of recipient waters. Earlier studies on sucralose in aquatic organisms indicate low bioaccumulation potential and negligible acute/chronic toxicity, but the close structural resemblance with sucrose in combination with the importance of sugar in nature, warrant a more detailed ecotoxicological assessment. The aim of this investigation was therefore to study behavioural and physiological effects of sucralose in crustaceans. Our results show that both physiology and locomotion behaviour were affected by exposure to sucralose. In Daphnia magna, the behavioural response was manifested as altered swimming height and increased swimming speed, whereas in gammarids the time to reach food and shelter was prolonged. Regardless if these behavioural responses were initiated via traditional toxic mechanisms or stimulatory effects, they should be considered as a warning, since exposed organisms may diverge from normal behaviour, which ultimately can have ecological consequences.
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Stiernström S, Hemström K, Wik O, Carlsson G, Bengtsson BE, Breitholtz M. An ecotoxicological approach for hazard identification of energy ash. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2011; 31:342-352. [PMID: 20584596 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2010] [Revised: 05/12/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Within the EU, ash should be classified by its inherent hazardous effects under criterion H-14 (ecotoxic) in the Directive on waste (2008/98/EC). Today, however, there are no harmonized quantitative criterions for such a classification, but it is stated that biological test systems can be used. In this study seven ash materials were leached and characterized, both biologically and chemically. The objectives were to evaluate if (a) clear concentration-response relationships could be achieved for the selected toxicity tests (bacteria, algae, crustacean and fish), (b) some test(s) are generally more sensitive and (c) the toxic responses were consistent with the chemical analyzes. Interestingly, our results indicate that high concentrations of non-hazardous components (Ca, K) influenced the toxicity of almost all ash eluates, whereas hazardous components (e.g. Zn, Pb) only influenced the toxicity of the eluates ranked as most hazardous. If considering both hazardous and non-hazardous substances, the observed toxic responses were relatively consistent with the chemical analyzes. Our results further showed that the (sub)chronic tests were much more sensitive than the acute tests. However, the use of extrapolation factors to compensate for using the less sensitive acute tests will likely lead to either over- or underestimations of toxicity. Our recommendation is therefore that classification of waste according to H-14 should be based on (sub)chronic test data. Finally, given that treatment of the eluates prior to toxicity testing has a major significance on the concentration and speciation of released substances, further studies are needed in order to propose a relevant testing scheme.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stiernström
- Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
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van der Hoeven N. Is it safe to pool the blank control data with the solvent control data? ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2010; 73:1480-1483. [PMID: 20226528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2009] [Revised: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/20/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicological studies, where the test chemical is dosed with a solvent, are often performed using two controls, a blank control (BC) and a solvent control (SC). In many guidelines, it is recommended to combine the data from the BC and the SC if they do not differ significantly and otherwise only use the data from the SC for the significance test on the effects of the chemical treatment. In this paper the validity of the conditional testing scheme is investigated by simulating data sets with and without difference between BC and SC. These simulations show that this testing scheme does not lead to a valid statistical test.
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Gorokhova E, Löf M, Halldórsson HP, Tjärnlund U, Lindström M, Elfwing T, Sundelin B. Single and combined effects of hypoxia and contaminated sediments on the amphipod Monoporeia affinis in laboratory toxicity bioassays based on multiple biomarkers. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2010; 99:263-274. [PMID: 20617547 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2010.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In estuaries, hypoxic conditions and pollution are among the major factors responsible for the declines in habitat quality, yet little is known about their combined effects on estuarine organisms. In this study, to investigate single and combined effects of hypoxia and contaminated sediment, the Baltic amphipod Monoporeia affinis was exposed for 5-9 days to four different combinations of oxygen conditions (moderate hypoxia vs. normoxia) and contamination (polluted vs. unpolluted sediments) at environmentally realistic levels. To detect oxidative stress, a suite of biomarkers was used - antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferases (GST)], acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lipid peroxidation status (TBARS concentration), protein carbonyl content (PCC), and DNA strand breakage (DNA-SB). To assay effects at the organism level, we used RNA:DNA ratio as a proxy for growth and metabolic rate and mortality. There were significant increases in CAT and SOD activities and TBARS levels in response to both moderate hypoxia and contaminated sediment, while GST increased and AChE decreased in response to the contamination only. Significant positive correlations were observed among the antioxidant enzymes and between the enzyme activities and TBARS concentration, suggesting a complex response to the oxidative stress. No significant changes in PCC were recorded in any of the treatments. Furthermore, the negative effect of hypoxia on DNA integrity was significant; with frequency of DNA-SB increasing in animals exposed to hypoxia in contaminated sediment. Despite clear effect at the cellular and biochemical levels, no responses at the organism level were observed. Multivariate analyses of the dataset have allowed us to link exposure factors to individual biomarker responses. Of the potential biomarkers assessed in this study, CAT activity was found to be associated with hypoxia, while SOD, GST and AChE activities appear to predict best the effects of exposure to sediments containing several contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, PCBs and PAHs), and TBARS concentration is particularly indicative of combined effects of hypoxia and contamination. In addition to providing new knowledge on the combined effects of multiple stressors on estuarine organisms, the findings of the present study are also important to understand data from biomonitoring studies in the Baltic Sea and in other regions where multiple stress factors co-occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gorokhova
- Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Santos LHMLM, Araújo AN, Fachini A, Pena A, Delerue-Matos C, Montenegro MCBSM. Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2010; 175:45-95. [PMID: 19954887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.10.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 805] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2009] [Revised: 09/17/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are biologically active and persistent substances which have been recognized as a continuing threat to environmental stability. Chronic ecotoxicity data as well as information on the current distribution levels in different environmental compartments continue to be sparse and are focused on those therapeutic classes that are more frequently prescribed and consumed. Nevertheless, they indicate the negative impact that these chemical contaminants may have on living organisms, ecosystems and ultimately, public health. This article reviews the different contamination sources as well as fate and both acute and chronic effects on non-target organisms. An extensive review of existing data in the form of tables, encompassing many therapeutic classes is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lúcia H M L M Santos
- REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto - Rua Anibal Cunha, 164, 4050-047 Porto, Portugal
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Lundström E, Björlenius B, Brinkmann M, Hollert H, Persson JO, Breitholtz M. Comparison of six sewage effluents treated with different treatment technologies--population level responses in the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2010; 96:298-307. [PMID: 20022642 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 11/15/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Since conventional treatment technologies may fail in removing many micro-pollutants, there is currently a focus on the potential of additional treatment technologies for improved sewage treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate six different effluents from Henriksdal Sewage Treatment Plant in Stockholm, Sweden. The effluents were; conventionally treated effluent (chemical phosphorous removal in combination with an activated sludge process, including biological nitrogen removal and a sand filter), with additional treatments individually added to the conventional treatment; active carbon filtration, ozonation at 5 mg l(-1), ozonation at 15 mg l(-1), ozonation at 5 mg l(-1)+moving bed biofilm reactor and irradiation with ultraviolet radiation+hydrogen peroxide. The evaluation was done by characterizing and comparing the effluents using a Lefkovitch matrix model based on a life cycle test with the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes, combined with analysis of juvenile development and survival over time. The conventionally treated effluent resulted in the most negative effects, leading to the conclusion that all additional treatments in the present study created effluents with less negative impacts on the copepod populations. The ozone treatments with the low dose treatment in particular, resulted in the overall least negative effects. Moving bed biofilm reactor combined with ozone did not improve the quality of the effluent in the sense that slightly more negative effects on the population abundance were seen for this treatment technology compared to ozonation alone. The active carbon treatment had more negative effects than the ozone treatments, most of which could possibly be explained by removal of essential metal ions. The effluent which was treated with ultraviolet radiation+hydrogen peroxide resulted in few developmental and survival effects over time, but still showed negative effects on the population level. Matrix population modeling proved a useful tool for biologically characterizing and comparing the effluents. Basing the assessment either on the individual level data (development and survival over time or total reproductive output) or the population level data (lambda values and projected population abundances) would not have resulted in the same conclusions as combining both analyses. The juvenile development and survival over time allowed for closer monitoring of the important molting process, whereas the population modeling provided an integrated measure of potential effects at the population level. If the dilution of the effluent in the recipient is considered, the biological effects recorded in the present study were not of substantial significance for the copepod populations, regardless of treatment technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Lundström
- Stockholm University, Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM), S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Romano N, Zeng C. Subchronic exposure to nitrite, potassium and their combination on survival, growth, total haemocyte count and gill structure of juvenile blue swimmer crabs, Portunus pelagicus. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2009; 72:1287-1295. [PMID: 19285345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2008] [Revised: 01/28/2009] [Accepted: 02/08/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Among anthropogenic discharges, nitrite and potassium can simultaneously enter aquatic ecosystems at high loading rates which can threaten marine animals. The sensitivity of early juvenile blue swimmer crabs, Portunus pelagicus, to the subchronic exposure to nitrite, potassium and their combination was evaluated by measuring the survival, growth, total haemocyte count (THC) and gill histopathological changes. In all NaNO(2)-N and KNO(2)-N treatments the survival substantially decreased, many due to "molt death syndrome", along with significantly lower (p<0.01) specific growth rates (SGR). Although fewer deaths occurred in the KCl-K treatments, the SGR at the higher concentrations were significantly less (p<0.05) than the control. The gill histopathological changes following elevated NaNO(2)-N, KNO(2)-N and KCl-K exposure showed drastic but similar damage. In spite of a long term healing response, indicated by a significant hemolymph THC increase (p<0.01) and several gill lamellae modifications, early P. pelagicus juveniles are highly sensitive to elevated NO(2)-N levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Romano
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
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Dahl U, Lind CR, Gorokhova E, Eklund B, Breitholtz M. Food quality effects on copepod growth and development: implications for bioassays in ecotoxicological testing. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2009; 72:351-357. [PMID: 18514311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2008.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2007] [Revised: 04/06/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated effects of six algal species in 25 combinations on growth and reproduction of the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes. In the first lifecycle test, Rhodomonas salina, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and Dunaliella tertiolecta were used. The results showed that R. salina was the best food, whereas P. tricornutum (0% development success) and D. tertiolecta (41.7% malformations) were poor food items. In the second lifecycle test, a mixture of R. salina, Tetraselmis suecica, and Thalassiosira weisflogii (selected from screening tests) was tested together with a mono-diet of R. salina. Also in this test, copepods fed R. salina performed better (i.e. had higher survival and reproductive success) compared with the other treatment. We conclude that R. salina is appropriate to use as food in toxicity testing with N. spinipes, whereas some of the algae commonly used as feed in ecotoxicological tests with other copepods had detrimental effects on the development, reproduction, and survival of N. spinipes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Dahl
- Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM), Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Hansen BH, Nordtug T, Altin D, Booth A, Hessen KM, Olsen AJ. Gene expression of GST and CYP330A1 in lipid-rich and lipid-poor female Calanus finmarchicus (Copepoda: Crustacea) exposed to dispersed oil. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2009; 72:131-139. [PMID: 19184728 DOI: 10.1080/15287390802537313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The copepod Calanus finmarchicus is a marine ecological key species in the Northern Atlantic food web. This species was exposed to an artificially weathered North Sea oil dispersion (oil droplets and water-soluble fractions [WSF]) and a filtered dispersion (containing only WSF) in serial dilution. Female copepods were divided into lipid-rich and lipid-poor for each exposure followed by gene expression analyses of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 330A1 (CYP330A1). Lipid-rich copepods exhibited elevated transcription of GST and reduced transcription of CYP330A1 after exposure to both dispersed oil and WSF. In contrast, lipid-poor copepods exhibited increased transcription of CYP330A1 following exposure to WSF but not the dispersion. Data suggested that small lipid storage promotes increased bioavailability of accumulated oil compounds. Variations in response in CYP330A1 gene expression indicate that oil constituents may exert different modes of toxic action in copepods depending on their reproductive stages. The contribution of oil droplets to the observed effects seemed to be low as GST gene expression was similar after exposure to both dispersed oil and WSF. However, feeding rate in copepods exposed to dispersed oil was reduced, and this may have decreased the uptake of oil constituents via the diet. Although quantitatively higher mortality was observed in copepods exposed to the highest dispersion levels, this may result from smothering of animals by oil droplets. Furthermore, increasing dilution of both the dispersions and the WSF altered their distributions and chemical composition, which may influence the bioavailability of spilled crude oil to pelagic marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjørn Henrik Hansen
- SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Marine Environmental Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
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Cooper ER, Siewicki TC, Phillips K. Preliminary risk assessment database and risk ranking of pharmaceuticals in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2008; 398:26-33. [PMID: 18440598 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.02.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2007] [Revised: 02/29/2008] [Accepted: 02/29/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing concern about pharmaceuticals entering surface waters and the impacts these compounds may have on aquatic organisms. Many contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, are not completely removed by wastewater treatment. Discharge of effluent into surface waters results in chronic low-concentration exposure of aquatic organisms to these compounds, with unknown impacts. Exposure of virulent bacteria in wastewater to antibiotic residues may also induce resistance, which could threaten human health. The purpose of this study was to provide information on pharmaceutical threats to the environment. A preliminary risk assessment database for common pharmaceuticals was created and put into a web-accessible database named "Pharmaceuticals in the Environment, Information for Assessing Risk" (PEIAR) to help others evaluate potential risks of pharmaceutical contaminants in the environment. Information from PEIAR was used to prioritize compounds that may threaten the environment, with a focus on marine and estuarine environments. The pharmaceuticals were ranked using five different combinations of physical-chemical and toxicological data, which emphasized different risks. The results of the ranking methods differed in the compounds identified as high risk; however, drugs from the central nervous system, cardiovascular, and anti-infective classes were heavily represented within the top 100 drugs in all rankings. Anti-infectives may pose the greatest overall risk based upon our results using a combination of factors that measure environmental transport, fate, and aquatic toxicity. The dataset is also useful for highlighting information that is still needed to assuredly assess risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Cooper
- Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, National Ocean Service, NOAA, Charleston, SC 29412-9110, USA.
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Lee KW, Raisuddin S, Hwang DS, Park HG, Dahms HU, Ahn IY, Lee JS. Two-generation toxicity study on the copepod model species Tigriopus japonicus. CHEMOSPHERE 2008; 72:1359-1365. [PMID: 18511101 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2008] [Revised: 03/21/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus have demonstrated that it is a suitable model species for the assessment of acute toxicities of marine pollutants. In order to standardize T. japonicus for use in environmental risk assessment involving whole life cycle exposure, we tested nine pollutants for their effects on growth and reproduction during a two-generation life cycle exposure test. Nauplii (F 0) were exposed to a range of concentrations of each chemical in a static renewal culture system. Broods of the second generation (F1) were subsequently exposed to the same concentrations for one full life cycle. Of the seven traits (nauplius phase, development time, survival, sex ratio, number of clutch, nauplii per clutch and fecundity), only the length of the nauplius phase and development time showed a greater sensitivity to chemical exposure. Between the two sensitive traits, the period of the nauplius phase was more sensitive than cohort generation time. Biocides significantly increased the maturation period of nauplii as well as copepodids in F 0 generation. In this study, it was demonstrated that T. japonicus could also be used in reproduction and life cycle tests and it provides an opportunity for testing the chronic and subchronic toxic effects of marine pollutants. Further validation and harmonization in a multi-centric study involving other laboratories of the region will strengthen its use as a supplement to existing model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyun-Woo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
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45
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Hjorth M, Dahllöf I. A harpacticoid copepod Microsetella spp. from sub-Arctic coastal waters and its sensitivity towards the polyaromatic hydrocarbon pyrene. Polar Biol 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-008-0483-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Key PB, Hoguet J, Reed LA, Chung KW, Fulton MH. Effects of the statin antihyperlipidemic agent simvastatin on grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2008; 23:153-160. [PMID: 18214920 DOI: 10.1002/tox.20318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated lethal effects (i.e., survival) and sublethal effects (glutathione, GSH; lipid peroxidation, LPx; cholesterol, CHL; and acetylcholinesterase, AChE) of the antihyperlipidemic drug simvastatin on larval and adult grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio). The 96-h LC50 test for larvae resulted in an estimated LC50 of 1.18 mg/L (95% confidence interval 0.98-1.42 mg/L). The adult 96-h LC50 was >10.0 mg/L. GSH and AChE levels for both the larvae and the adults were not significantly affected by simvastatin exposure. LPx levels in the larvae were significantly higher than controls in the lowest and the highest simvastatin exposures. In adult grass shrimp, LPx levels were highest in the three lowest simvastatin exposures. CHL levels were significantly reduced in larvae at the highest simvastatin exposure level of 1 mg/L while adult CHL was not affected. Both lethal and sublethal effects associated with simvastatin exposure were only observed at concentrations well above those reported in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B Key
- National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, 219 Ft. Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA.
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Gardeström J, Dahl U, Kotsalainen O, Maxson A, Elfwing T, Grahn M, Bengtsson BE, Breitholtz M. Evidence of population genetic effects of long-term exposure to contaminated sediments-a multi-endpoint study with copepods. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2008; 86:426-36. [PMID: 18234358 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2007] [Revised: 12/09/2007] [Accepted: 12/11/2007] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the environment, pollution generally acts over long time scales and exerts exposure of multiple toxicants on the organisms living there. Recent findings show that pollution can alter the genetics of populations. However, few of these studies have focused on long-term exposure of mixtures of substances. The relatively short generation time (ca. 4-5 weeks in sediments) of the harpacticoid copepod Attheyella crassa makes it suitable for multigenerational exposure studies. Here, A. crassa copepods were exposed for 60 and 120 days to naturally contaminated sediments (i.e., Svindersviken and Trosa; each in a concentration series including 50% contaminated sediment mixed with 50% control sediment and 100% contaminated sediment), and for 120 days to control sediment spiked with copper. We assayed changes in F(ST) (fixation index), which indicates if there is any population subdivision (i.e., structure) between the samples, expected heterozygosity, percent polymorphic loci, as well as abundance. There was a significant decrease in total abundance after 60 days in both of the 100% naturally contaminated sediments. This abundance bottleneck recovered in the Trosa treatment after 120 days but not in the Svindersviken treatment. After 120 days, there were fewer males in the 100% naturally contaminated sediments compared to the control, possibly caused by smaller size of males resulting in higher surface: body volume ratio in contact with toxic chemicals. In the copper treatment there was a significant decrease in genetic diversity after 120 days, although abundance remained unchanged. Neither of the naturally contaminated sediments (50 and 100%) affected genetic diversity after 120 days but they all had high within treatment F(ST) values, with highest F(ST) in both 100% treatments. This indicates differentiation between the replicates and seems to be a consequence of multi-toxicant exposure, which likely caused selective mortality against highly sensitive genotypes. We further assayed two growth-related measures, i.e., RNA content and cephalothorax length, but none of these endpoints differed between any of the treatments and the control. In conclusion, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that toxicant exposure can reduce genetic diversity and cause population differentiation. Loss of genetic diversity is of great concern since it implies reduced adaptive potential of populations in the face of future environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Gardeström
- Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Turesson EU, Stiernström S, Minten J, Adolfsson-Erici M, Bengtsson BE, Breitholtz M. Development and reproduction of the freshwater harpacticoid copepod Attheyella crassa for assessing sediment-associated toxicity. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2007; 83:180-9. [PMID: 17512064 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2007] [Revised: 04/03/2007] [Accepted: 04/06/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Both freshwater and marine sediments are sinks for many anthropogenic substances. This may pose a risk to benthic and epibenthic organisms and it is crucial that toxicity tests that are available for environmental risk assessment can identify potentially adverse effects of sediment-associated substances on benthic organisms, such as harpacticoid copepods. While marine harpacticoids have been protected via a number of acute and chronic sediment tests, the freshwater harpacticoid copepod community has so far been neglected in such activities. The main aim of the present study was therefore to (a) find a suitable freshwater harpacticoid copepod, (b) establish robust laboratory mass cultures and (c) develop a chronic test for assessment of sediment-associated toxicity using spiked sediments. After several cultivation trials with a number of potential test species, the choice fell on the benthic freshwater harpacticoid copepod Attheyella crassa, a species that possesses many of the characteristic features identified as prerequisites for toxicity test organisms, e.g. it has a sexual reproduction, it is relatively easy to grow and keep in mass cultures in the laboratory, and it has a small body size. Owing to the relatively long generation time of freshwater harpacticoids (in relation to many marine harpacticoids), it was decided that the test should be separated into a development part (21 days) and a reproduction part (14 days) running in parallel. As a reference substance we used the fungicide tebuconazole, which is currently subject to risk assessment and which partitions to soil and sediment. Clear concentration-related responses were observed for all endpoints analyzed. Nauplia body length was the most sensitive endpoint with a measured time weighted LOEC(water) of 20microg/L. The corresponding LOEC(water) for larval mortality and offspring production was 65 and 62microg/L, respectively. In conclusion, A. crassa is an ecologically relevant test species for freshwater ecosystems and particularly for the cold, oligotrophic and often acidic lakes of Northern Europe. Regardless of the relatively long generation time of this species, our results clearly show that sediment-associated toxicity related to development and sexual reproduction can be assessed within 2-3 weeks exposure with the developed bioassay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ulfsdotter Turesson
- Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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