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Ferrante M, Cristaldi A, Oliveri Conti G. Oncogenic Role of miRNA in Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11060500. [PMID: 34199666 PMCID: PMC8229109 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The daily environmental exposure of humans to plasticizers may adversely affect human health, representing a global issue. The altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important pathogenic role in exposure to plasticizers. This systematic review summarizes recent findings showing the modified expression of miRNAs in cancer due to exposure to plasticizers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we performed a systematic review of the literature published in the past 10 years, focusing on the relationship between plasticizer exposure and the expression of miRNAs related to cancer. Starting with 535 records, 17 articles were included. The results support the hypothesis that exposure to plasticizers causes changes in or the deregulation of a number of oncogenic miRNAs and show that the interaction of plasticizers with several redundant miRNAs, such as let-7f, let-7g, miR-125b, miR-134, miR-146a, miR-22, miR-192, miR-222, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-296, miR-324, miR-335, miR-122, miR-23b, miR-200, miR-29a, and miR-21, might induce deep alterations. These genotoxic and oncogenic responses can eventually lead to abnormal cell signaling pathways and metabolic changes that participate in many overlapping cellular processes, and the evaluation of miRNA-level changes can be a useful target for the toxicological assessment of environmental pollutants, including plastic additives and plasticizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (G.O.C.)
- Catania, Messina, Enna Cancer Registry, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-378-2181; Fax: +39-095-378-2177
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (G.O.C.)
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (G.O.C.)
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2
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Trace Element Bioaccumulation in Stone Curlew ( Burhinus oedicnemus, Linnaeus, 1758): A Case Study from Sicily (Italy). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134597. [PMID: 32605267 PMCID: PMC7370152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to highlight the degree of trace element contamination along three sites of Sicily: the Magnisi peninsula (MP), located in proximity to the Augusta–Priolo–Melilli petrochemical plant; the Ragusa agro-ecosystem (RA), characterized by a rural landscape; and the Gela plain (GP), characterized by intensive agriculture and a disused petrochemical plant. We collected biological samples (abraded back feathers and blood) of the Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus Linnaeus, 1758) as well as soil samples to determine the trace elements concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Se and V using ICP-MS analysis. The results found for the three sites show different trends of accumulation, which depend on the different management and geological characteristics of the areas. The Gela plain and Magnisi peninsula showed a higher degree of contamination (As, Co, Cu, Mn and Se for the Gela plain; Pb and Hg for the Magnisi peninsula). Nevertheless, no critical values were found for either the environment—if the results are compared with the legal limits fixed by the Legislative Decree No. 152/2006, approving the Code on the Environment—or for living organisms—if the results are compared with the toxicological thresholds for birds, especially if the short-term exposure results from the blood values are considered. Only the Se levels in animal blood from the RA and GP were found slightly higher than the minimum level required in bird diets. The positive scenario can be attributed on the one hand to the interruptions of emissions of the Gela refinery around 5 years ago, and on the other hand to the more intense and strict controls that are implemented in the area surrounding the petrochemical pole of Augusta–Priolo–Melilli.
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Jee SC, Kim M, Sung JS. Modulatory Effects of Silymarin on Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Hepatotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072369. [PMID: 32235460 PMCID: PMC7177818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is a group 1 carcinogen that introduces mutagenic DNA adducts into the genome. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of silymarin in the reduction of DNA adduct formation by B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), induced by B[a]P. B[a]P exhibited toxicity in HepG2 cells, whereas co-treatment of the cells with B[a]P and silymarin reduced the formation of BPDE-DNA adducts, thereby increasing cell viability. Determination of the level of major B[a]P metabolites in the treated cells showed that BPDE levels were reduced by silymarin. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were found to be involved in the activation of detoxifying genes against B[a]P-mediated toxicity. Silymarin did not increase the expression of these major transcription factors, but greatly facilitated their nuclear translocation. In this manner, treatment of HepG2 cells with silymarin modulated detoxification enzymes through NRF2 and PXR to eliminate B[a]P metabolites. Knockdown of Nrf2 abolished the preventive effect of silymarin on BPDE-DNA adduct formation, indicating that activation of the Nrf2 pathway plays a key role in preventing B[a]P-induced genotoxicity. Our results suggest that silymarin has anti-genotoxic effects, as it prevents BPDE-DNA adduct formation by modulating the Nrf2 and PXR signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jung-Suk Sung
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-961-5132; Fax: +82-31-961-5108
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Ferrara G, Salvaggio A, Pecoraro R, Scalisi EM, Presti AM, Impellizzeri G, Brundo MV. Toxicity assessment of nano-TiO 2 in Apis mellifera L., 1758: histological and immunohistochemical assays. Microsc Res Tech 2019; 83:332-337. [PMID: 31777117 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) by short-term toxicity tests in Apis mellifera, considered an excellent bioindicator organism mainly due to its sensitivity. Bees have been exposed to several concentrations of TiO2 NPs (1 × 10-3 , 1 × 10-4 , 1 × 10-5 , 1 × 10-6 mg/10 ml) for 10 days. Morphostructural and histological assays were done on gut and honey sac. The research of exposure biomarkers like metallothioneins 1 (MT1) and Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) was performed to verify if a detoxification mechanism has been activated in the exposed animals. No histological alteration on the epithelium of the gut and honey sac were observed in exposed samples. A significant positivity for anti-MT1 antibody was observed only in the honey sac cells. A weak positivity for HSP70 was observed in both structures analyzed. In several studies have shown the non-toxicity of TiO2 NPs on other model organisms, in our study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles was proven to be highly toxic at the highest concentration tested (100% of lethality to 1 × 10-3 mg/10 ml) and moderately toxic at lower concentrations. Honey bees proved to be excellent models for study of NPs toxicity and for monitoring environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ferrara
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Salvaggio
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily "A. Mirri", Catania, Italy
| | - Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elena Maria Scalisi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Maria Presti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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5
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Caricato R, Giordano ME, Schettino T, Maisano M, Mauceri A, Giannetto A, Cappello T, Parrino V, Ancora S, Caliani I, Bianchi N, Leonzio C, Mancini G, Cappello S, Fasulo S, Lionetto MG. Carbonic anhydrase integrated into a multimarker approach for the detection of the stress status induced by pollution exposure in Mytilus galloprovincialis: A field case study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 690:140-150. [PMID: 31284188 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The work was addressed to study the sensitivity of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) to chemical pollution in the hepatopancreas of the bioindicator organism Mytilus galloprovincialis in the context of a multimarker approach in view of ecotoxicological biomonitoring and assessment application. The study was carried out by means of a transplanting experiment in the field, using caged organisms from an initial population exposed in the field in two areas of interest: Augusta-Melilli-Priolo, an heavy polluted industrial site (eastern Sicily, Italy), and Brucoli (eastern Sicily, Italy) an area not affected by any contamination and selected as a reference site. Mussels in Augusta presented a significant increase in the digestive gland CA activity and gene expression compared to the animals caged in the control site of Brucoli. The CA response in animals from the polluted site was paralleled by proliferation/increase in the size of lysosomes, as assessed by Lysosensor green charged cells, induction of metallothionein, up-regulation of hif-α (hypoxia-inducible factor), metabolic changes associated with protein metabolism, and changes in the condition factor. Biological responses data were integrated with information about sediment chemical analysis and metal residue concentration in animal soft tissues. In conclusion, obtained results highlighted the induction of CAs in the hepatopancreas of Mytilus galloprovincialis following to pollution exposure, and demonstrated its suitability to be integrated into a multimarker approach for the detection and characterization of the stress status induced by pollution exposure in this bioindicator organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Caricato
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DiSTeBA), Università del Salento, Via prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - M E Giordano
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DiSTeBA), Università del Salento, Via prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - T Schettino
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DiSTeBA), Università del Salento, Via prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - M Maisano
- Dip.to di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Via Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - A Mauceri
- Dip.to di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Via Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - A Giannetto
- Dip.to di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Via Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - T Cappello
- Dip.to di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Via Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - V Parrino
- Dip.to di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Via Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - S Ancora
- Dip.to di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Siena, strada Laterina, 8, Siena, Italy
| | - I Caliani
- Dip.to di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Siena, strada Laterina, 8, Siena, Italy
| | - N Bianchi
- Dip.to di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Siena, strada Laterina, 8, Siena, Italy
| | - C Leonzio
- Dip.to di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Siena, strada Laterina, 8, Siena, Italy
| | - G Mancini
- Dip.to di Ingegneria Elettrica Elettronica e Informatica, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, Catania, Italy
| | - S Cappello
- Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, CNR, Spianata S. Raineri, 86, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - S Fasulo
- Dip.to di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Via Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - M G Lionetto
- Dip.to di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DiSTeBA), Università del Salento, Via prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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Pecoraro R, Salvaggio A, Scalisi EM, Iaria C, Lanteri G, Copat C, Ferrante M, Fragalà G, Zimbone M, Impellizzeri G, Brundo MV. Evaluation of the effects of silver nanoparticles on Danio rerio cornea: Morphological and ultrastructural analysis. Microsc Res Tech 2019; 82:1297-1301. [PMID: 31044488 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although in recent years there has been intensification in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) for the production of many commercial products, few studies have been carried out to assess the risks associated with its use. Among the most used NPs, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have a preponderant position as they have various applications. In this study, 40 adult zebrafish were exposed to increasing concentrations of AgNPs (8, 45, and 70 μg/L) for 30 days to evaluate the effects on eyes after chronic exposure to AgNPs with an average diameter of 50 nm. From the morphological and ultrastructural analysis performed, no alteration or lesions of the corneal epithelium were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Salvaggio
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily "A. Mirri", Catania, Italy
| | - Elena M Scalisi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelo Iaria
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lanteri
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Fragalà
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria V Brundo
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily "A. Mirri", Catania, Italy
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7
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Macirella R, Tripepi M, Brunelli E. Morphological and Immunohistochemical Modifications in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Gills After Short-Term Exposure to the Fungicide Tebuconazole. Zebrafish 2019; 16:65-76. [DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2018.1638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Macirella
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Manuela Tripepi
- Department of Biology, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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8
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Droutsa A, Emmanouil N, Raptopoulos K, Salvaggio A, Mazzei V, Pecoraro R, Messina G, Copat C, Ferrante M, Brundo MV, Lombardo BM. Trace elements bioaccumulation in Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) and related biomarkers of exposure. Microsc Res Tech 2019; 82:651-657. [PMID: 30637888 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, the increase of anthropogenic activities has led to a progressive pollution of ecosystems. Oniscidean isopods are a group of terrestrial animals known as excellent bio-indicators and bio-accumulators, because of their capacity to accumulate contaminants and to implement appropriate strategies of detoxification. For this study, we collected Porcellionides pruinosus from two different sites in the Corinth region (Greece), a polluted site and a control site, to assess the heavy metal pollution status. We conducted an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis for the detection of trace elements in animals' hepatopancreas and soil; we performed also immunohistochemistry for detection of metallothioneins 1 (MT1) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70s). The results suggest a great capacity of the species in trace elements bioaccumulation and the high degree of pollution of the area near Agioi Theodoroi where the metal pollution index (MPI) is threefolds higher than the control site, due to the presence of significantly higher concentration of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and lead found in hepatopancreas and soil. The environmental stress is confirmed by the expression of the relative biomarkers of exposure MT1 and HSP70. Our study, with a multimarker approach, consents getting a complete analysis of environmental quality and the effect of pollution on organisms and shows for the first time the heavy metals contamination status in certain Greece area. Furthermore, P. pruinosus proved to be an appropriate indicator of pollution in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Droutsa
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Emmanouil
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Raptopoulos
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonio Salvaggio
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily "A. Mirri", Catania, Italy
| | - Veronica Mazzei
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Messina
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Ferrante M, Spena MT, Hernout BV, Grasso A, Messina A, Grasso R, Agnelli P, Brundo MV, Copat C. Trace elements bioaccumulation in liver and fur of Myotis myotis from two caves of the eastern side of Sicily (Italy): A comparison between a control and a polluted area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 240:273-285. [PMID: 29751326 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.133] [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: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a topic of great interest because it directly affects the quality of ecosystems and of all living organisms at different trophic and systematic levels. Together with the global climate change, the long-term surviving of many species of plants and animals is threaten, distributional patterns at global and regional levels are altered and it results in local assemblages of species that are quite different from those that currently constitute coevolved communities. .For this study, the species Myotis myotis was used as bioindicator and it was sampled from two caves in the south-east of Sicily, Pipistrelli chosen as control area and Palombara chosen as polluted area, to measure the concentrations of trace elements in fur and liver tissues. Results showed higher content of essential elements in fur in bats sampled from Pipistrelli. Conversely, higher concentrations of toxic metals in liver such as As, Cd, Pb and Hg were measured in bat samples in Palombara cave, where specimens have a hunting area extended within the boundaries of the petrochemical plant. Nevertheless, we cannot consider Palombara population as polluted by metal contamination since their tissue concentrations are overall lower than toxic thresholds values suggested for small mammals. Likewise, we cannot exclude other kind of pollutants as potential stressors of the examined population, contributing with the decreasing of bat colonies in Sicily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Spena
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Béatrice Veronique Hernout
- Texas A&M Galveston Campus, Department of Marine Biology, 1001 Texas Clipper Road Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Andrea Messina
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Rosario Grasso
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Paolo Agnelli
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze, Sezione di Zoologia "La Specola", Via Romana 17, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania 95124, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy.
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10
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Giannetto A, Cappello T, Oliva S, Parrino V, De Marco G, Fasulo S, Mauceri A, Maisano M. Copper oxide nanoparticles induce the transcriptional modulation of oxidative stress-related genes in Arbacia lixula embryos. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 201:187-197. [PMID: 29933146 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are widely used in various industrial applications, i.e. semiconductor devices, batteries, solar energy converter, gas sensor, microelectronics, heat transfer fluids, and have been recently recognized as emerging pollutants of increasing concern for human and marine environmental health. Therefore, the toxicity of CuO NPs needs to be thoroughly understood. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of oxidative stress in CuO NP toxicity by exploring the molecular response of Arbacia lixula embryos to three CuO NP concentrations (0.7, 10, 20 ppb) by investigating the transcriptional patterns of oxidative stress-related genes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and metallothionein, here cloned and characterized for the first time. Time- and concentration-dependent changes in gene expression were detected in A. lixula embryos exposed to CuO NPs, up to pluteus stage (72 h post-fertilization, hpf), indicating that oxidative stress is one of the toxicity mechanisms for CuO NPs. These findings provide new insights into the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying copper nanoparticle toxicity in A. lixula sea urchin and give new tools for monitoring of aquatic areas, thus corroborating the suitability of this embryotoxicity assay for future evaluation of impacted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Sabrina Oliva
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parrino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Marco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres n. 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
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11
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Lin Y, Liu Q, Meng F, Lin Y, Du Y. Integrated toxicity evaluation of metals in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay (China): Based on biomarkers responses in clam Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to sediment extracts. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 131:180-190. [PMID: 29886935 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the integrated toxicity of metals in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay, we exposed clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) to sediments extracts obtained using of sediment extraction with deionised water adjusted to pH 4 which simulated the weak acidity in the digestive juice of clams and tested the selected biomarkers responses in clams for exposure over 15 days. At the same time, the contents of metals in sediments were assessed with method of the mean sediment quality guideline quotient (SQG-Q). The integrated biomarker response version 2 (IBRv2) was used to assess the integrated toxicity induced by metals in sediment extracts based on biomarkers response in clams: the results demonstrated that site S7 located in the mouth of Nanxin'an River show higher IBRv2 values compared to the other sites. The IBRv2 values exhibited the good consistency with SQG-Q values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Lin
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China; National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, Risk Management Department, Beijing 100194, PR China
| | - Qunqun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Fanping Meng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China.
| | - Yichen Lin
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Yongxiang Du
- Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China; Rizhao Environmental Protection Bureau, Rizhao 276800, PR China
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12
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Adel M, Copat C, Saeidi Asl MR, Conti GO, Babazadeh M, Ferrante M. Bioaccumulation of trace metals in banded Persian bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium arabicum) from the Persian Gulf: A food safety issue. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 113:198-203. [PMID: 29366870 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Persian bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium arabicum) was collected from two sites of the Khozestan province, northern basin of Persian Gulf, with the aim to identify differences in metal concentrations between fishing areas as well as the risk for human health due to consumption of the selected species. We analyzed Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg, Cd and Ni in muscle and liver tissues of specimens from both areas of study using atomic adsorption spectrometry. Statistical elaborations revealed higher bioaccumulation of metals in livers than muscle as well as in the site of worthy of Musa as regards Zn, Pb and Ni than the site of worthy of Darvis, due to the more intensive anthropogenic input. The risk for consumers is low for the most of metals, with the exception of the THQ for Hg, which resulted next to the level of risk with high frequencies of consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Adel
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health and Diseases, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia"- Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mohammad Reza Saeidi Asl
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar Branch, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia"- Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mehdi Babazadeh
- Department of Fisheries, Islamic Azad University, Savadekoh Branch, Savadekoh, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia"- Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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13
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Chiu KH, Dong CD, Chen CF, Tsai ML, Ju YR, Chen TM, Chen CW. NMR-based metabolomics for the environmental assessment of Kaohsiung Harbor sediments exemplified by a marine amphipod (Hyalella azteca). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 124:714-724. [PMID: 28267993 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Inflow of wastewater from upstream causes a large flux of pollutants to enter Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan daily. To reveal the ecological risk posed by Kaohsiung Harbor sediments, an ecological metabolomic approach was employed to investigate environmental factors pertinent to the physiological regulation of the marine amphipod Hyalella azteca. The amphipods were exposed to sediments collected from different stream inlets of the Love River (LR), Canon River (CR), Jen-Gen River (JR), and Salt River (SR). Harbor entrance 1 (E1) was selected as a reference site. After 10-day exposure, metabolomic analysis of the Hyalella azteca revealed differences between two groups: {E1, LR, CR} and {JR, SR}. The metabolic pathways identified in the two groups of amphipods were significantly different. The results demonstrated that NMR-based metabolomics can be effectively used to characterize metabolic response related to sediment from polluted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Chiu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C D Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - C F Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - M L Tsai
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Y R Ju
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - T M Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C W Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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14
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Salvaggio A, Pecoraro R, Scalisi EM, Tibullo D, Lombardo BM, Messina G, Loreto F, Copat C, Ferrante M, Avola R, D'amante G, Genovese C, Raccuia SA, Brundo MV. Morphostructural and immunohistochemical study on the role of metallothionein in the detoxification of heavy metals in Apis mellifera L., 1758. Microsc Res Tech 2017; 80:1215-1220. [PMID: 28833895 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Honey is a valuable food produced by bees from sugary substances that they gather in nature. The transformation the nectar into honey, by bees, is long and complex. Except for honey, where heavy metals are absent or are found only in traces, the bees and their products have always been considered excellent biomarkers of such contaminants. We have assumed that the absence of heavy metals in honey is due to the presence of a detoxification system in the digestive system of bees, which involves metallothioneins, proteins that have a role in the homeostatic control of essential and non-essential metals. We have placed the beehives in three different zones: industrial, urban and rural. Investigations were carried out with ICP-MS method for the detection of heavy metals in the guts of honey bees and honey. The metallothioneins have been identified by Immunohistochemical and Western-blotting analisys. The investigations have shown the presence of heavy metals only in bees guts but not in honey, while the presence of metallothionein has been highlighted only in epithelium of the honey sac, demonstrating the existence of an efficient system of detoxification of heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Salvaggio
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily "A. Mirri", Via Passo Gravina 195, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy
| | - Elena Maria Scalisi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotecnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Lombardo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Messina
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy
| | - Francesco Loreto
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Roberto Avola
- Department of Biomedical and Biotecnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, Catania, I-95123, Italy
| | - Giusi D'amante
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy.,National Research Council Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Empedocle, 58, Catania, I-95125, Italy
| | - Claudia Genovese
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy.,National Research Council Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Empedocle, 58, Catania, I-95125, Italy
| | - Salvatore Antonino Raccuia
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy.,National Research Council Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council, Via Empedocle, 58, Catania, I-95125, Italy
| | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, Catania, I-95124, Italy
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15
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Cappello T, Maisano M, Mauceri A, Fasulo S. 1H NMR-based metabolomics investigation on the effects of petrochemical contamination in posterior adductor muscles of caged mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 142:417-422. [PMID: 28454054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental metabolomics is a high-throughout approach that provides a snapshot of the metabolic status of an organism. In order to elucidate the biological effects of petrochemical contamination on aquatic invertebrates, mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis were caged at the "Augusta-Melilli-Priolo" petrochemical area and Brucoli (Sicily, south Italy), chosen as the reference site. After confirming the elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mercury (Hg) in Augusta sediments in our previous work (Maisano et al., 2016a), herein an environmental metabolomics approach based on protonic nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), coupled with chemometrics, was applied on the mussel posterior adductor muscle (PAM), the main muscular system in bivalve molluscs. Amino acids, osmolytes, energy storage compounds, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, and nucleotides, were found in PAM NMR spectra. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that mussels caged at the polluted site clustered separately from mussels from the control area, suggesting a clear differentiation between their metabolic profiles. Specifically, disorders in energy metabolism, alterations in amino acids metabolism, and disturbance in the osmoregulatory processes were observed in mussel PAM. Overall, findings from this work demonstrated the usefulness of applying an active biomonitoring strategy for environmental risk assessment, and the effectiveness of metabolomics in elucidating changes in metabolic pathways of aquatic organisms caged at sites differentially contaminated, and thus its suitability to be applied in ecotoxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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16
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Maisano M, Cappello T, Natalotto A, Vitale V, Parrino V, Giannetto A, Oliva S, Mancini G, Cappello S, Mauceri A, Fasulo S. Effects of petrochemical contamination on caged marine mussels using a multi-biomarker approach: Histological changes, neurotoxicity and hypoxic stress. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 128:114-123. [PMID: 27053509 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This work was designed to evaluate the biological effects of petrochemical contamination on marine mussels. Mytilus galloprovincialis, widely used as sentinel organisms in biomonitoring studies, were caged at the "Augusta-Melilli-Priolo" industrial site (eastern Sicily, Italy), chosen as one of the largest petrochemical areas in Europe, and Brucoli, chosen as reference site. Chemical analyses of sediments at the polluted site revealed high levels of PAHs and mercury, exceeding the national and international guideline limits. In mussels from the polluted site, severe morphological alterations were observed in gills, mainly involved in nutrient uptake and gas exchange. Changes in serotonergic and cholinergic systems, investigated through immunohistochemical, metabolomics and enzymatic approaches, were highlighted in gills, as well as onset of hypoxic adaptive responses with up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor transcript. Overall, the application of a multi-biomarker panel results effective in assessing the biological effects of petrochemical contamination on the health of aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Natalotto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria Vitale
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parrino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sabrina Oliva
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Simone Cappello
- Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Center, Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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17
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A protocol for identifying suitable biomarkers to assess fish health: A systematic review. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174762. [PMID: 28403149 PMCID: PMC5389625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biomarkers have been used extensively to provide the connection between external levels of contaminant exposure, internal levels of tissue contamination, and early adverse effects in organisms. Objectives To present a three-step protocol for identifying suitable biomarkers to assess fish health in coastal and marine ecosystems, using Gladstone Harbour (Australia) as a case study. Methods Prior to applying our protocol, clear working definitions for biomarkers were developed to ensure consistency with the global literature on fish health assessment. First, contaminants of concern were identified based on the presence of point and diffuse sources of pollution and available monitoring data for the ecosystem of interest. Second, suitable fish species were identified using fisheries dependent and independent data, and prioritised based on potential pathways of exposure to the contaminants of concern. Finally, a systematic and critical literature review was conducted on the use of biomarkers to assess the health of fish exposed to the contaminants of concern. Results/Discussion We present clear working definitions for bioaccumulation markers, biomarkers of exposure, biomarkers of effect and biomarkers of susceptibility. Based on emission and concentration information, seven metals were identified as contaminants of concern for Gladstone Harbour. Twenty out of 232 fish species were abundant enough to be potentially suitable for biomarker studies; five of these were prioritised based on potential pathways of exposure and susceptibility to metals. The literature search on biomarkers yielded 5,035 articles, of which 151met the inclusion criteria. Based on our review, the most suitable biomarkers include bioaccumulation markers, biomarkers of exposure (CYP1A, EROD, SOD, LPOX, HSP, MT, DNA strand breaks, micronuclei, apoptosis), and biomarkers of effect (histopathology, TAG:ST). Conclusion Our protocol outlines a clear pathway to identify suitable biomarkers to assess fish health in coastal and marine ecosystems, which can be applied to biomarker studies in aquatic ecosystems around the world.
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18
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Cappello T, Pereira P, Maisano M, Mauceri A, Pacheco M, Fasulo S. Advances in understanding the mechanisms of mercury toxicity in wild golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) by 1H NMR-based metabolomics. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 219:139-148. [PMID: 27814529 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is recognized as a dangerous contaminant due to its bioaccumulation and biomagnification within trophic levels, leading to serious health risks to aquatic biota. Therefore, there is an urgent need to unravel the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of Hg. To this aim, a metabolomics approach based on protonic nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), coupled with chemometrics, was performed on the gills of wild golden grey mullets L. aurata living in an Hg-polluted area in Ria de Aveiro (Portugal). Gills were selected as target organ due to their direct and continuous interaction with the surrounding environment. As a consequence of accumulated inorganic Hg and methylmercury, severe changes in the gill metabolome were observed, indicating a compromised health status of mullets. Numerous metabolites, i.e. amino acids, osmolytes, carbohydrates, and nucleotides, were identified as potential biomarkers of Hg toxicity in fish gills. Specifically, decrease of taurine and glycerophosphocholine, along with increased creatine level, suggested Hg interference with the ion-osmoregulatory processes. The rise of lactate indicated anaerobic metabolism enhancement. Moreover, the increased levels of amino acids suggested the occurrence of protein catabolism, further supported by the augmented alanine, involved in nitrogenous waste excretion. Increased level of isobutyrate, a marker of anoxia, was suggestive of onset of hypoxic stress at the Hg contaminated site. Moreover, the concomitant reduction in glycerophosphocholine and phosphocholine reflected the occurrence of membrane repair processes. Finally, perturbation in antioxidant defence system was revealed by the depletion in glutathione and its constituent amino acids. All these data were also compared to the differential Hg-induced metabolic responses previously observed in liver of the same mullets (Brandão et al., 2015). Overall, the environmental metabolomics approach demonstrated its effectiveness in the evaluation of Hg toxicity mechanisms in wild fish under realistic environmental conditions, uncovering tissue-specificities regarding Hg toxic effects namely in gills and liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
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19
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Salvaggio A, Marino F, Albano M, Pecoraro R, Camiolo G, Tibullo D, Bramanti V, Lombardo BM, Saccone S, Mazzei V, Brundo MV. Toxic Effects of Zinc Chloride on the Bone Development in Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822). Front Physiol 2016; 7:153. [PMID: 27199768 PMCID: PMC4850361 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase of heavy metals in the environment involves a high exposure of aquatic organisms to these pollutants. The present study is planned to investigate the effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) on the bone embryonic development of Danio rerio and confirm the use of zebrafish as a model organism to study the teratogenic potential of this pollutant. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different ZnCl2 concentrations and analyzed by ICP-MS. The skeletal anomalies were evaluated to confocal microscope after staining with calcein solution and RhodZinTM-3,AM. The data show a delay in hatching compared with the controls, malformations in the process of calcification and significant defects in growth. In conclusion, the current work demonstrates for the first time the Zn toxic effects on calcification process and confirm zebrafish (Danio rerio) as suitable alternative vertebrate model to study the causes and the mechanisms of the skeletal malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Marino
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Marco Albano
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Camiolo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bramanti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Bianca M Lombardo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Veronica Mazzei
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
| | - Maria V Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania Catania, Italy
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20
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Brundo MV, Pecoraro R, Marino F, Salvaggio A, Tibullo D, Saccone S, Bramanti V, Buccheri MA, Impellizzeri G, Scuderi V, Zimbone M, Privitera V. Toxicity Evaluation of New Engineered Nanomaterials in Zebrafish. Front Physiol 2016; 7:130. [PMID: 27148069 PMCID: PMC4829578 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of the nanoparticles on the marine organisms, depends on their size, chemical composition, surface structure, solubility and shape. In order to take advantage from their activity, preserving the surrounding environment from a possible pollution, we are trying to trap the nanoparticles into new nanomaterials. The nanomaterials tested were synthesized proposing a ground-breaking approach by an upside-down vision of the Au/TiO2 nano-system to avoid the release of nanoparticles. The system was synthesized by wrapping Au nanoparticles with a thin layer of TiO2. The non-toxicity of the nano-system was established by testing the effect of the material on zebrafish larvae. Danio rerio o zebrafish was considered an excellent model for the environmental biomonitoring of aquatic environments and the Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity Test (ZFET) is considered an alternative method of animal test. For this reason zebrafish larvae were exposed to different concentrations of nanoparticles of TiO2 and Au and new nanomaterials. As biomarkers of exposure, we evaluated the expression of metallothioneins by immunohistochemistry analysis and western blotting analysis also. The results obtained by toxicity test showed that neither mortality as well as sublethal effects were induced by the different nanomaterials and nanoparticles tested. Only zebrafish larvae exposed to free Au nanoparticles showed a different response to anti-MT antibody. In fact, the immunolocalization analysis highlighted an increase of the metallothioneins synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Fabio Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'AnnunziataMessina, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Tibullo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bramanti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
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21
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Cappello T, Brandão F, Guilherme S, Santos MA, Maisano M, Mauceri A, Canário J, Pacheco M, Pereira P. Insights into the mechanisms underlying mercury-induced oxidative stress in gills of wild fish (Liza aurata) combining (1)H NMR metabolomics and conventional biochemical assays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 548-549:13-24. [PMID: 26799803 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been described as a key pathway to initiate mercury (Hg) toxicity in fish. However, the mechanisms underlying Hg-induced oxidative stress in fish still need to be clarified. To this aim, environmental metabolomics in combination with a battery of conventional oxidative stress biomarkers were applied to the gills of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) collected from Largo do Laranjo (LAR), a confined Hg contaminated area, and São Jacinto (SJ), selected as reference site (Aveiro Lagoon, Portugal). Higher accumulation of inorganic Hg and methylmercury was found in gills of fish from LAR relative to SJ. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics revealed changes in metabolites related to antioxidant protection, namely depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) and its constituent amino acids, glutamate and glycine. The interference of Hg with the antioxidant protection of gills was corroborated through oxidative stress endpoints, namely the depletion of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities at LAR. The increase of total glutathione content (reduced glutathione+oxidized glutathione) at LAR, in parallel with GSH depletion aforementioned, indicates the occurrence of massive GSH oxidation under Hg stress, and an inability to carry out its regeneration (glutathione reductase activity was unaltered) or de novo synthesis. Nevertheless, the results suggest the occurrence of alternative mechanisms for preventing lipid peroxidative damage, which may be associated with the enhancement of membrane stabilization/repair processes resulting from depletion in the precursors of phosphatidylcholine (phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine), as highlighted by NMR spectroscopy. However, the observed decrease in taurine may be attributable to alterations in the structure of cell membranes or interference in osmoregulatory processes. Overall, the novel concurrent use of metabolomics and conventional oxidative stress endpoints demonstrated to be sensitive and effective towards a mechanistically based assessment of Hg toxicity in gills of wild fish, providing new insights into the toxicological pathways underlying the oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Fátima Brandão
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sofia Guilherme
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria Ana Santos
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - João Canário
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instítuto Superíor Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Natalotto A, Sureda A, Maisano M, Spanò N, Mauceri A, Deudero S. Biomarkers of environmental stress in gills of Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus 1758) from Balearic Island. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 122:9-16. [PMID: 26164723 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In aquatic environments, bivalve molluscs are used as sentinel species for environmental biomonitoring. In this study Pinna nobilis specimens, the biggest Mediterranean bivalve, were collected in the Magaluf bay (Mallorca), a touristic location and in a pristine area of the Cabrera National Park as the control location. Histological and histochemical analysis in gills of specimens sampled from Magaluf exhibited evident tissue alterations with high presence of haemocytes. Lower acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and protein expression were also found in the gills of specimens collected from Magaluf compared with the control area. The determination of antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, showed a higher activities of these antioxidant enzymes and total glutathione content in samples from Magaluf bay than in Cabrera. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that human activities result in morphological tissue alterations and a reduced AChE activity in gills of P. nobilis. Moreover, these stressful environmental conditions induced an adaptive response in P. nobilis as evidenced by increased antioxidant defences and a decreased AChE activity. CAPSULE The human activities induce oxidative stress in P. nobilis as evidenced by increased antioxidant defences and a decreased acetylcholinesterase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Natalotto
- Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Messina, Viale Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of Balearic Islands, Ctra. Valldemossa, km 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; CIBEROBN: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.
| | - Maria Maisano
- Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Messina, Viale Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Nunziacarla Spanò
- Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Messina, Viale Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, University of Messina, Viale Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salud Deudero
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Moll de Ponent s/n, 07015 Palma, Spain
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23
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Santos D, Falcão A, Luzio A, Fontaínhas-Fernandes A, Monteiro SM. Neuroendocrine and Eosinophilic Granule Cells in the Gills of Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: Effects of Waterborne Copper Exposure. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2015; 69:566-576. [PMID: 26054594 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0170-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of aquatic ecosystems with copper (Cu) poses a serious threat to aquatic organisms. Although the histopathological changes caused by Cu in fish gills are well documented, knowledge about the impact of this metal in gill specific cell types, such as neuroendocrine cells (NECs) and eosinophilic granule cells (EGCs), is still limited. In the present work, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed for 21 days to nominal concentrations of Cu (40 and 400 µg L(-1)). Stereological methods were used to estimate the volumetric density of both NECs and EGCs in fish gill filament after 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. The results showed that Cu significantly increased the relative volume of NECs, whereas the relative volume of EGCs decreased. NECs were more affected by Cu in the first 7 days of exposure, during which a greater increase in their relative volume was observed. The Cu exposure induced a progressive decrease in the relative volume of EGCs, which reached statistical significance after 14 days of exposure. An exception was observed in subepithelial EGCs with a slight increase in their relative volume after 3 days of exposure. Our findings confirm that Cu can modulate both neuroendocrine and immune systems and becomes immunotoxic after a prolonged exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dércia Santos
- Department of Biology and Environment, Life Sciences and Environment School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Falcão
- Department of Biology and Environment, Life Sciences and Environment School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Luzio
- Department of Biology and Environment, Life Sciences and Environment School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - António Fontaínhas-Fernandes
- Department of Biology and Environment, Life Sciences and Environment School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Sandra Mariza Monteiro
- Department of Biology and Environment, Life Sciences and Environment School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
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24
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Mazzei V, Giannetto A, Brundo MV, Maisano M, Ferrante M, Copat C, Mauceri A, Longo G. Metallothioneins and heat shock proteins 70 in Armadillidium vulgare (Isopoda, Oniscidea) exposed to cadmium and lead. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 116:99-106. [PMID: 25779333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The heavy metals bioaccumulation capability in Armadillidium vulgare feeded with chestnut leaves contaminated with various sublethal concentrations of Cd and Pb, was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The metal concentration found in the hepatopancreas of treated animals, as measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), affected the expression and localization of MT and HSP70 as shown by immunohistochemical and western blotting analysis. The Cd content of the animals treated with the various concentrations of the metal has been always higher than that of chestnut leaves contaminated. The accumulation of Pb was, instead, always modest compared to the content of the chestnut leaves. The immunohistochemical investigation in hepatopancreas tissue of animals treated with increasing concentrations of Cd and Pb, by using the anti-MT and anti-HSP70 antibodies, has provided a response clearly positive even if differentiated in relation to the metal and concentration tested. In particular, a positive response to anti-MT antibody was detected in B and S cells nuclei and S cells cytoplasm; the localization of HSP70 was particularly intense at the cell surface. Western blotting analysis showed significant up-regulation of the expression (about 2.6 fold) of HSP70 proteins in the hepatopancreas of animals exposed to highest Pb concentrations respect to control. Moreover, samples exposed to higher Cd and Pb concentrations showed a higher expression of MT (3.2 fold and 4 fold respectively) compared to control. In summary, our data beyond to clearly demonstrate for the first time the expression of MT in terrestrial isopods, suggest that A. vulgare would be a suitable organism for assessing Cd and Pb exposure in environments threatened by metal pollution as suggested by the modulation of the biomarkers MT and HSP70.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Mazzei
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - A Giannetto
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - M V Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - M Maisano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - M Ferrante
- Department of Anatomy, Biology and Genetics, Legal medicine, Neuroscience, Diagnostic Patology, Hygiene and Public Health "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy..
| | - C Copat
- Department of Anatomy, Biology and Genetics, Legal medicine, Neuroscience, Diagnostic Patology, Hygiene and Public Health "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy..
| | - A Mauceri
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - G Longo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy.
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25
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Cappello T, Maisano M, Giannetto A, Parrino V, Mauceri A, Fasulo S. Neurotoxicological effects on marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis caged at petrochemical contaminated areas (eastern Sicily, Italy): ¹H NMR and immunohistochemical assays. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2015; 169:7-15. [PMID: 25572855 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The neurotoxicological potential of environmental pollution, mainly related to petrochemical activities, was investigated in marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Bivalve mollusks, particularly mussels, are widely used as sentinel organisms in biomonitoring studies for assessing the impact of anthropogenic contaminants. The gills, mainly involved in nutrient uptake, digestion, gas exchange and neuronal signaling, are the first organ to be affected by pollutants present in the external environment, and therefore were selected as the target organ for this study. Mussels from an aquaculture farm were caged at a highly polluted petrochemical area and a reference site along the Augusta coastline (eastern Sicily, Italy) for one month. A battery of biomarkers indicative of neuronal perturbations was applied on gills in order to investigate on the serotonergic (i.e. serotonin, 5-HT, and its receptor, 5-HT3R), cholinergic (i.e. acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, AChE, and choline acetyltransferase, ChAT), and dopaminergic systems (i.e. tyrosine and tyrosine hydroxylase, TH). Overall, impairment in the normal ciliary motility was found in mussels caged at the polluted site. Alterations in serotoninergic and cholinergic systems were revealed, with enhancement of dopaminergic neurotransmission resulting in a cilio-inhibitory effect. However, the over-expression in 5-HT3R and ChAT at cellular level may indicate an adaptive response of mussels to recover a regular physiological activity in gills. To our knowledge, this is the first study that uses (1)H NMR and immunohistochemical assays. Their concurrent use demonstrated to be sensitive and effective for assessing environmental influences on the health status of aquatic organisms, and thus suitable to be applied in ecotoxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Parrino
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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26
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Nunes B, Antunes SC, Gomes R, Campos JC, Braga MR, Ramos AS, Correia AT. Acute effects of tetracycline exposure in the freshwater fish Gambusia holbrooki: antioxidant effects, neurotoxicity and histological alterations. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2015; 68:371-81. [PMID: 25475590 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-014-0101-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A large body of evidence was compiled in the recent decades showing a noteworthy increase in the detection of pharmaceutical drugs in aquatic ecosystems. Due to its ubiquitous presence, chemical nature, and practical purpose, this type of contaminant can exert toxic effects in nontarget organisms. Exposure to pharmaceutical drugs can result in adaptive alterations, such as changes in tissues, or in key homeostatic mechanisms, such as antioxidant mechanisms, biochemical/physiological pathways, and cellular damage. These alterations can be monitored to determine the impact of these compounds on exposed aquatic organisms. Among pharmaceutical drugs in the environment, antibiotics are particularly important because they include a variety of substances widely used in medical and veterinary practice, livestock production, and aquaculture. This wide use constitutes a decisive factor contributing for their frequent detection in the aquatic environment. Tetracyclines are the individual antibiotic subclass with the second highest frequency of detection in environmental matrices. The characterization of the potential ecotoxicological effects of tetracycline is a much-required task; to attain this objective, the present study assessed the acute toxic effects of tetracycline in the freshwater fish species Gambusia holbrooki by the determination of histological changes in the gills and liver, changes in antioxidant defense [glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and lipoperoxidative damage] as well as potential neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase activity). The obtained results suggest the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship between the exposure to tetracycline and histological alterations (more specifically in gills) and enzymatic activity (particularly the enzyme CAT in liver and GST in gills) indicating that this compound can exert a pro-oxidative activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Nunes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal,
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27
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Wan R, Meng F, Fu W, Wang Q, Su E. Biochemical responses in the gills of Meretrix meretrix after exposure to treated municipal effluent. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 111:78-85. [PMID: 25450918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The biochemical effects in marine bivalves exposed to increasing concentrations of treated municipal effluent (TME), as discharged into receiving marine waters, are investigated. The effluent was collected from a municipal sewage treatment plant (STP) in Qingdao (China). Meretrix meretrix were exposed to effluent volume ratio (EVR, ratio of effluent volume accounted for tailwater seawater mixture) 0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20% (v/v) TME for 15 days and the following biochemical responses in gills were measured: (1) the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione (GSH) content, and lipid peroxidation levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as oxidative stress biomarkers; (2) the activity of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and gluthathione S-transferase (GST), as phase I and phase II conjugation enzymes, respectively; (3) acetylcholinesterase (AChE), as a biomarker of neurotoxicity, and (4) metallothioneins (MTs), as proteins strongly induced by heavy metals. Most of the biochemical indices present high and significant variation frequency (above 50%). There is enhancement in the antioxidant enzymes, EROD, GST, AChE, and MTs, as well as consumption of GSH. The current experimental results suggest that effluent with concentrations less than 20% (v/v) do not cause lipid peroxidation damage. This implies that the activated defense is sufficient to protect the bivalves' gill tissues from cytotoxicity produced by the effluent. Furthermore, GSH, GPx, MTs, and GR are suitable, and sufficiently sensitive, biomarkers to indicate the pollution levels in marine environments receiving such effluent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Wan
- Key Laboratory for Marine Environment and Ecology of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266100, China
| | - Fanping Meng
- Key Laboratory for Marine Environment and Ecology of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266100, China
| | - Wenchao Fu
- Key Laboratory for Marine Environment and Ecology of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266100, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Key Laboratory for Marine Environment and Ecology of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266100, China
| | - Enping Su
- Key Laboratory for Marine Environment and Ecology of Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266100, China
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28
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Brandão F, Cappello T, Raimundo J, Santos MA, Maisano M, Mauceri A, Pacheco M, Pereira P. Unravelling the mechanisms of mercury hepatotoxicity in wild fish (Liza aurata) through a triad approach: bioaccumulation, metabolomic profiles and oxidative stress. Metallomics 2015; 7:1352-63. [DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00090d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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29
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Liu D, Pan L, Li Z, Cai Y, Miao J. Metabolites analysis, metabolic enzyme activities and bioaccumulation in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to benzo[a]pyrene. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2014; 107:251-259. [PMID: 25011122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A study was performed on clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) exposed to 0.03, 0.3 and 3μg/L benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) for 21 days. B[a]P metabolite contents, activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), epoxide hydrolase (EH), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), sulfotransferase (SULT) and uridinediphosphate glucuronyltransferase (UGT) and B[a]P bioaccumulation were assayed in gills and digestive glands. Results showed that the order of B[a]P phase I metabolite contents was 9-hydroxy-B[a]P>B[a]P-1,6-dione>B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol, and the concentration of B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol sulfate conjugates was higher than that of B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol glucuronide conjugates. B[a]P accumulation and the activities of AHH, EROD, EH, DD, SULT and UGT increased first and then reached equilibrium. GST activity was induced first and then depressed. The concentration of B[a]P was far higher than that of its metabolites. Besides, there were no significant differences between enzyme activities in gills and those in digestive glands. These results provided information on B[a]P metabolic mechanism in bivalve and scientific data for pollution monitoring and food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Luqing Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
| | - Zhen Li
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Yuefeng Cai
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Jingjing Miao
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
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30
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Cappello T, Mauceri A, Corsaro C, Maisano M, Parrino V, Lo Paro G, Messina G, Fasulo S. Impact of environmental pollution on caged mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis using NMR-based metabolomics. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 77:132-139. [PMID: 24211101 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic responses to environmental pollution, mainly related to Hg and PAHs, were investigated in mussels. Specimens of Mytilus galloprovincialis, sedentary filter-feeders, were caged in anthropogenic-impacted and reference sites along the Augusta coastline (Sicily, Italy). The gills, mainly involved in nutrient uptake, digestion and gas exchange, were selected as target organ being the first organ to be affected by pollutants. Severe alterations in gill tissue were observed in mussels from the industrial area compared with control, while gill metabolic profiles, obtained by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and analyzed by multivariate statistics, exhibited significant changes in amino acids, energy metabolites, osmolytes and neurotransmitters. Overall, the morphological changes and metabolic disturbance detected in gill tissues may suggest that the mussels transplanted to the contaminated field site were suffering from adverse environmental condition. The concurrent morphological and metabolomic investigations as applied here result effective in assessing the environmental influences on health status of aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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31
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De Domenico E, Mauceri A, Giordano D, Maisano M, Giannetto A, Parrino V, Natalotto A, D'Agata A, Cappello T, Fasulo S. Biological responses of juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to contaminated sediments. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2013; 97:114-123. [PMID: 23953925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/13/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Multiple anthropogenic activities present along coastal environments may affect the health status of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, specimens of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were exposed for 30 days to highly contaminated sediment collected from the industrial area between Augusta and Priolo (Syracuse, Italy), defined as the most mercury polluted site in the Mediterranean. The aim was to evaluate the responses of juvenile D. labrax to highly contaminated sediments, particularly enriched in Hg, in order to enhance the scarce knowledge on the potential compensatory mechanisms developed by organisms under severe stress conditions. Apoptotic and proliferative activities [cell turnover: Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and FAS Ligand (FasL)], onset of hypoxic condition [hypoxia: Hypoxia Inducibile Factor-1α (HIF-1α)], and changes in the neuroendocrine control mechanisms [neurotransmission: Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH), Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 3 (5-HT3)] were investigated in sea bass gill tissues. In the specimens exposed to the polluted sediment, the occurrence of altered cell turnover may result in impaired gas exchange that leads to a condition of "functional hypoxia". Changes in neurotransmission pathways were also observed, suggesting a remodeling process as an adaptive response to increase the O2-carrying capacity and restore the normal physiological conditions of the gills. Overall, these findings demonstrated that although chronic exposure to heavy metal polluted sediments alters the functioning of both the nervous and endocrine systems, as well as plasticity of the gill epithelium, fish are able to trigger a series of physiological adjustments or adaptations interfering with specific neuroendocrine control mechanisms that enable their long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena De Domenico
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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32
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Longo G, Trovato M, Mazzei V, Ferrante M, Conti GO. Ligia italica (Isopoda, Oniscidea) as bioindicator of mercury pollution of marine rocky coasts. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58548. [PMID: 23472204 PMCID: PMC3589354 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the possible role of Ligia italica as a bioindicator for the monitoring of heavy metals pollution in the suppralittoral zone of marine rocky coasts. Between 2004 and 2011 specimens of L. italica were collected along the Eastern Sicilian coasts from sites known for their high pollution levels as they are near to an area where in September 2001 a refinery plant discharged into the sea some waste containing Hg. Other specimens were collected from the Vendicari Natural Reserve located about 30 miles from the polluted sites and used as control area. On a consistent number of animals, the concentration in toto of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. On other animals, investigations were carried out in order to check for ultrastructural alterations of the hepatopancreas, that is the main metals storage organ in isopods. Results revealed the presence, in the animals collected in 2004 from the polluted sites, of considerable concentrations of Hg and of lower concentrations of other metals such as As, Pb and V. The Hg bioaccumulation resulted in remarkable ultrastructural alterations of the two cellular types (B and S cells) in the epithelium of the hepatopancreas. Surprisingly, a moderate amount of Hg was also found in specimens collected in 2004 from the Vendicari Natural Reserve, proving that the Hg pollution can also spread many miles away. Animals collected from the polluted sites in the following years showed a progressively decreasing Hg content, reaching very low levels in those from the last sampling. Also, the ultrastructural alterations found in the hepatopancreas of the animals from the last sample were quite irrelevant. In conclusion, Ligia italica can represent a good bioindicator and the ultrastructure of the hepatopancreas could be used as ultrastructural biomarker of heavy metals pollution in the supralittoral zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Longo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Michelanna Trovato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Veronica Mazzei
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Dipartimento di Anatomia, Biologia e Genetica, Medicina Legale, Neuroscienze, Patologia Diagnostica, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica “G. F. Ingrassia”, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Dipartimento di Anatomia, Biologia e Genetica, Medicina Legale, Neuroscienze, Patologia Diagnostica, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica “G. F. Ingrassia”, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
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