1
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Wang JY, Hsu HY, Liu ST, Lin CH. Ammonia exposure impairs bone mineralization in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 287:110040. [PMID: 39265966 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.110040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Ammonia is a major pollutant of freshwater environments. Previous studies have indicated that ammonia exposure adversely affects the physiology of freshwater fish. However, its effect on bone mineralization in freshwater fish larvae remains unclear. In this study, zebrafish larvae were used as a model to investigate the effects of different ammonia levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM NH4Cl) on the survival rate, body length, and bone mineralization of fish. The survival rate of zebrafish embryos exposed to different NH4Cl concentrations for 8 days was not affected. In contrast, the body length and bone mineralization of zebrafish larvae at 8 days post fertilization (dpf) were significantly reduced at 5 and 10 mM NH4Cl exposure. Further investigations revealed that ammonia exposure decreased the mRNA expression of osteoblast-related genes and increased that of osteoclast-related genes. Additionally, exposure to 5 mM and 10 mM NH4Cl induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 10 mM-but not 5 mM-NH4Cl exposure reduced the calcium and phosphorus content in 8 dpf zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, ammonia exposure induces bone resorption, while decreasing the calcium and phosphorus content of the whole body and bone formation, resulting in impaired bone mineralization in fish larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Yi Wang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Yi Hsu
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sian-Tai Liu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Lin
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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2
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Ding L, Huang Z, Liang L, Shi H, Fang Z, Hong M. Comparative toxic effect of ammonia exposure on Mauremys sinensis and invasive species Trachemys scripta elegans. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 278:109847. [PMID: 38296217 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
As one of main pollutants, ammonia could cause adverse effects to aquatic animals. To explore the toxic effects of ammonia on Chinese striped-necked turtles (Mauremys sinensis) and invasive species red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), we compared the activities of antioxidant enzymes, the mRNA levels of genes involved in immune status, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis between T. s. elegans and M. sinensis under ammonia exposure for 30 days. The results showed that ammonia obviously increased the activities of SOD, CAT, GPX and T-AOC in both T. s. elegans and M. sinensis, especially CAT and GPX in T. s. elegans were higher than that in M. sinensis. The expression levels of JAK, RELA and Mcl-1 in T. s. elegans obviously increased, while IL-6 mRNA levels significantly increased in M. sinensis. In addition, Bip and IRE1 levels in M. sinensis showed a marked increase, and were significantly higher than that in T. s. elegans. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL transcriptional levels in T. s. elegans showed an increase, especially Bcl-xL were significantly higher than that in M. sinensis. These results indicated that T. s. elegans exhibited more stronger antioxidant defense and immune function than M. sinensis under ammonia exposure. M. sinensis was more likely to occur endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in ammonia environment. This research reveals the physiological response of turtles to ammonia, helps to understand adverse effects of environmental pressure on aquatic turtles, and further explains the tolerance of invasive species T. s. elegans to environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ding
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Zubin Huang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Lingyue Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Haitao Shi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
| | - Zhenhua Fang
- School of Tropical Agricultural Technology, Hainan College of Vocation and Technique, Haikou 570216, China.
| | - Meiling Hong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
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3
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Lin LY, Cheng CA, Liu ST, Horng JL. Investigation of ammonia-induced lethal toxicity toward ion regulation in zebrafish embryos. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 276:109807. [PMID: 38013044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is an environmental pollutant that is toxic to all aquatic animals. However, the mechanism of ammonia toxicity toward the ion regulatory function of early-stage fish has not been fully documented. We addressed this issue using zebrafish embryos as a model. We hypothesized that ammonia might impair ion regulation by inducing oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death of epidermal ionocytes and keratinocytes in zebrafish embryos. After exposure to various concentrations (10- 30 mM) of NH4Cl for 96 h, mortality increased up to 50 % and 100 % at 25 and 30 mM, respectively. Whole-embryo sodium, potassium, and calcium contents decreased at ≥10 mM, suggesting dysfunction of ion regulation. Numbers of H+-ATPase-rich (HR) cells and Na+/K+-ATPase-rich (NaR) cells (two ionocyte subtypes) were not significantly altered at 15 or 20 mM, while the mitochondrial abundance significantly decreased and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels significantly increased in ionocytes. Moreover, caspase-3-dependent apoptosis was found in epidermal keratinocytes. Whole-embryo transcript levels of several genes involved in ion regulation, antioxidation, and apoptosis were upregulated after ammonia exposure. In conclusion, ammonia exposure was shown to induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in ionocytes and apoptosis in keratinocytes, thereby impairing ion regulation and ultimately leading to the death of zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-An Cheng
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Sian-Tai Liu
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11042, Taiwan.
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4
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Hung GY, Pan YC, Horng JL, Lin LY. Sublethal effects of methylmercury on lateral line sensory and ion-regulatory functions in zebrafish embryos. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 271:109700. [PMID: 37442313 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury can interfere with the normal functioning of the nervous system, causing a variety of behavioral and physiological changes in fish. However, the influence of MeHg on the lateral line sensory and ion-regulatory functions of fish is not clear. Zebrafish embryos were utilized as a model to address this question. After exposure to water-borne MeHg (5, 10, 50, or 100 ppb) for 96 h (4-100 h post-fertilization), the survival rate declined by ca. 50 % at 100 ppb. However, MeHg at sublethal concentrations delayed hatching and decreased heart rates and body length. As to effects on the lateral line sensory system, MeHg at ≥10 ppb decreased the number of hair cells and impaired hair bundles and Ca2+-mediated mechanical transduction. As to ion regulation, MeHg at ≥10 ppb decreased the densities of skin stem cells and ionocytes, leading to declines in ion (Na+, K+, and Ca2+) contents and H+/NH4+ excretion levels. A gene expression analysis also revealed declines in messenger RNA levels of several ion-regulatory genes (ncc2b, trpv6v1a, trpv5/6, ncx1b, and rhcg1). This study demonstrated that the lateral line sensory and ion regulatory functions of fish are extremely sensitive to MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giun-Yi Hung
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chin Pan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11042, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan.
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5
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Li D, Shen L, Zhang D, Wang X, Wang Q, Qin W, Gao Y, Li X. Ammonia-induced oxidative stress triggered proinflammatory response and apoptosis in pig lungs. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 126:683-696. [PMID: 36503793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia, a common toxic gas, is not only one of the main causes of haze, but also can enter respiratory tract and directly affect the health of humans and animals. Pig was used as an animal model for exploring the molecular mechanism and dose effect of ammonia toxicity to lung. In this study, the apoptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells was observed in high ammonia exposure group using transmission electron microscopy. Gene and protein expression analysis using transcriptome sequencing and western blot showed that low ammonia exposure induced T-cell-involved proinflammatory response, but high ammonia exposure repressed the expression of DNA repair-related genes and affected ion transport. Moreover, high ammonia exposure significantly increased 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) level, meaning DNA oxidative damage occurred. In addition, both low and high ammonia exposure caused oxidative stress in pig lungs. Integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome revealed that the up-regulation of LDHB and ND2 took part in high ammonia exposure-affected pyruvate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation progress, respectively. Inclusion, oxidative stress mediated ammonia-induced proinflammatory response and apoptosis of porcine lungs. These findings may provide new insights for understanding the ammonia toxicity to workers in livestock farms and chemical fertilizer plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daojie Li
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Long Shen
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiankun Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wenhao Qin
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yun Gao
- College of Engineering, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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6
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Lin LY, Horng JL, Cheng CA, Chang CY, Cherng BW, Liu ST, Chou MY. Sublethal ammonia induces alterations of emotions, cognition, and social behaviors in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 244:114058. [PMID: 36108432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia pollutants were usually found in aquatic environments is due to urban sewage, industrial wastewater discharge, and agricultural runoff and concentrations as high as 180 mg/L (NH4+) have been reported in rivers. High ammonia levels are known to impair multiple tissue and cell functions and cause fish death. Although ammonia is a potent neurotoxin, how sublethal concentrations of ammonia influence the central nervous system (CNS) and the complex behaviors of fish is still unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that acute sublethal ammonia exposure can change social behavior of adult zebrafish. The exposure to 90 mg /L of (NH4+) for 4 h induced a strong fear response and lower shoaling cohesion; exposure to 180 mg /L of (NH4+) for 4 h reduced the aggressiveness, and social recognition, while the anxiety, social preference, learning, and short-term memory were not affected. Messenger RNA expressions of glutaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase in the brain were induced, suggesting that ammonia exposure altered glutamate neurotransmitters in the CNS. Our findings in zebrafish provided delicate information of ammonia neurotoxicity in complex higher-order social behaviors, which has not been revealed previously. In conclusion, sublethal and acute ammonia exposure can change specific behaviors of fish, which might lead to reductions in individual and population fitness levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11042, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-An Cheng
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yung Chang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Wei Cherng
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Sian-Tai Liu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yi Chou
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
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7
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Soares SS, Costa GG, Brito LB, de Oliveira GAR, Scalize PS. Assessment of surface water quality of the bois river (Goiás, Brazil) using an integrated physicochemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological approach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2022; 57:242-249. [PMID: 35505496 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2022.2060026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The data on water pollution is scarce in developing countries, including Brazil. The water quality assessment is important implementing the monitoring and remediation programs to minimize the risk of hazardous substances in freshwaters. Thus, this study evaluated the surface water quality of a stretch of the Bois River (Brazil), based on the physicochemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological analyses conducted in 2017, using Standard Methods and fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test with zebrafish (Danio rerio). The results indicated that the quality of water samples located close to the discharge of tannery effluents was most impaired. Total phosphorus, BOD, DO, ammoniacal nitrogen, and thermotolerant coliforms parameters in P4 were not in accordance with the standards of current Brazilian legislation. Iron, lead, and copper levels were higher than environmental standards. The physicochemical quality of water samples was lower in the dry season than the rainy season. All samples (P1, P3, and P5) in rainy and dry seasons did not induce significant acute toxicity for zebrafish early-life stage; however other trophic levels (algae and microcrustacean) should be investigated to gain a better understanding of the toxicity during water quality analysis. In conclusion, the physicochemical and microbiological changes in the water of the Bois River can affect aquatic organisms as well as humans when it is used for drinking or in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara Silva Soares
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Laboratory of Water Analysis, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Gessyca Gonçalves Costa
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory (EnvTox), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Lara Barroso Brito
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory (EnvTox), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Gisele Augusto Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory (EnvTox), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Scalize
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Laboratory of Water Analysis, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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8
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Cong M, Xu H, Li Y, Tian W, Lv J. Modifications of calcium metabolism and apoptosis after ammonia nitrogen exposure imply a tumorous fate in clam Ruditapes philippinarum? AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 245:106110. [PMID: 35189509 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia nitrogen (NH3N) is a kind of toxic inorganic nitrogen that has been a great ecological stressor to the marine organisms for quite a few years in Chinese coastal area. Toxic mechanism of ammonia nitrogen on marine bivalve is not well elucidated, especially in calcium metabolism and apoptosis. In the present study, clams Ruditapes philippinarum were used as the experiment animals to receive NH3N exposure with environmental concentrations for 21 days. Results showed that NH3N exposure induced ROS production, decreased Ca2+ concentration, and increased caspase 3 activities in the clam gill cells. In addition, three kinds of Ca2+ exchanger genes, e. g. Na+/K+/Ca2+ exchanger 2, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 3 and monovalent cation/H+ antiporter, exhibited significant increments in transcription to eliminate intracellular Ca2+. Besides, NH3N exposure significantly increased mRNA expression levels of key anti-apoptotic regulator Bcl-2 genes (Bcl2-1 and Bcl2-1), which would inhibit the apoptosis degree in gill cells. Taken together, increased Ca2+-extrusion and apoptosis inhibition would act cooperatively to alleviate the apoptosis degree and extend the lifespan, so that some kind of tumor might develop in oxidative damaged gill cells after NH3N exposure. Therefore, it is predicted that NH3N exposure will probably bring the clam R. philippinarum a tumorous fate, which will be a great challenge for the healthy development of molluscs aquaculture under the current pollution condition. In addition, caspase 3 activity and mRNA expression levels of Bcl2-2 and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 3 could be used as potential clam biomarkers to indicate NH3N pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Cong
- Ocean School of Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China.
| | - Hongchao Xu
- Biology School of Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China
| | - Yuanmei Li
- Ocean School of Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China
| | - Wenwen Tian
- Ocean School of Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China
| | - Jiasen Lv
- Biology School of Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China.
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9
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Horng JL, Lee CY, Liu ST, Hung GY, Lin LY. Differential effects of silver nanoparticles on two types of mitochondrion-rich ionocytes in zebrafish embryos. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 252:109244. [PMID: 34785368 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in our daily life and have become a potential environmental hazard. However, the toxic effects of AgNPs on the early stages of fish are not fully understood, and little is known about their effects on specific types of ionocytes. Using zebrafish embryos as a model, this study examined the effects (changes in cell number, morphology, NH4+ secretion and gene expression) of sublethal concentrations of AgNPs (0.1, 1, and 3 mg/L) on two major types of ionocytes: H+ pump-rich (HR) ionocytes, and Na+ pump-rich (NaR) ionocytes in the skin of embryos. After exposure to AgNPs for 96 h, the number of HR ionocytes significantly declined by 30% and 41% in the 1 and 3 mg/L AgNP groups, respectively. In addition, the apical opening of HR ionocytes became smaller, suggesting that AgNPs impaired the critical structure for ion transport. NH4+ secretion by HR ionocytes of embryos also declined significantly after AgNP exposure. In contrast, the number of NaR ionocytes increased by 29% and 43% in the 1 and 3 mg/L AgNP groups, respectively, while these cells deformed their shape. AgNPs altered mRNA levels of several ion channel and transporter genes involved in the functions of HR ionocytes and NaR ionocytes, and influenced hormone genes involved in regulating calcium homeostasis. This study shows that AgNPs can cause differential adverse effects on two types of ionocytes and the effects can threaten fish survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ying Lee
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Sian-Tai Liu
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Giun-Yi Hung
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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10
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Liu M, Wang HJ, Wang HZ, Ma SN, Yu Q, Uddin KB, Li Y, Hollander J, Jeppesen E. Decreasing toxicity of un-ionized ammonia on the gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa when moving from laboratory to field scale. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 227:112933. [PMID: 34700166 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Along with a steady increasing use of artificial nitrogen fertilizer, concerns have been raised about the effects that high nitrogen loading may have on ecosystems. Due to the toxicity of unionized ammonia (NH3), tolerance criteria have been proposed for ambient water management in many countries; however, these are mainly based on acute or chronic tests carried out under lab conditions run with purified water. Aiming at understanding the responses of organisms to natural exposure to high ammonia concentrations, a Viviparidae gastropod, Bellamya aeruginosa, was tested at three experimental scales: standard 96-h lab test, one-month cage test in 6 experimental ponds with continuous nitrogen inputs, and intensive investigation of the B. aeruginosa from these ponds in spring and winter. The results were: 1) 96-h LC50 in the standard lab test was 0.56 mg NH3-N/L and 343.3 mg TAN/L (total ammonia expressed as N, standardized at pH 7 and 20 ℃). 2) In the one-month cage test, the survival rate was 97% when NH3-N was 0.61 mg/L (i.e., a higher concentration than the lab 96-h LC50) and the body size of the gastropods actually increased with increasing NH3-N concentrations. 3) In the winter-spring investigation, little effect of ammonia on the standing crops of gastropods was found, and the body size of the gastropods tended to increase with increasing ammonia concentrations (NH3-N concentration range of 0.05 ~ 2.06 mg/L). Thus, B. aeruginosa showed higher tolerance to ammonia exposure (NH3-N concentration < 0.81 mg/L) in the field than under laboratory conditions. Our study points to the necessity of considering the relevant scale when determining criteria for ammonia toxicity in water management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hai-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
| | - Hong-Zhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shuo-Nan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
| | - Qing Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Kazi Belal Uddin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Johan Hollander
- Global Ocean Institute, World Maritime University (WMU), Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Erik Jeppesen
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark; Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing, China; Limnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; Centre for Ecosystem Research and Implementation (EKOSAM), Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Mersin, Turkey.
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11
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Ding L, Huang Z, Lu Y, Liang L, Li N, Xu Z, Zhang J, Shi H, Hong M. Toxic effects of ammonia on intestinal health and microbiota in red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 280:130630. [PMID: 33930609 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is an important environmental pollutant and can induce serious damages to the organs of aquatic animals, especially the intestine which is mostly exposed to external environment. As important species of aquatic ecosystems, turtles may be potential risk targets of ammonia. However, it is not clear whether ammonia shows toxic effects on the intestines of turtles. Therefore, the worldwide species red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) was selected, to investigate the effects of ammonia on intestinal health and the composition of microbiota. Results showed that ammonia significantly changed the structure of intestines by decreasing the thickness of intestinal wall, shortening the length of intestinal villus, extending lamina proprias, and inducing inflammatory cells appearance when the turtles were exposed to ammonia (1.418 mg NH3 L-1) for 30 d. In addition, the downregulation of epithelial tight junction genes indicated that ammonia increased selective paracellular permeability. Simultaneously, the upregulation of cytokines suggested that ammonia induced intestinal immune and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, ammonia altered the dominant bacterial composition, and decreased the abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria in the host. Our results demonstrated that ammonia impaired the intestinal health and changed the composition of residential microbiota in T. s. elegans. This study provides a new insight to evaluate the toxic effects of ammonia on aquatic turtles and helps to build a framework for the effective conservation of turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ding
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Zubin Huang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Yingnan Lu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Lingyue Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Na Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Zhixia Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Jiliang Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Haitao Shi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China
| | - Meiling Hong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China.
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12
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Ramos J, Balasch JC, Tort L. About Welfare and Stress in the Early Stages of Fish. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:634434. [PMID: 33693043 PMCID: PMC7937697 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.634434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ramos
- Department Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Joan Carles Balasch
- Department Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Lluis Tort
- Department Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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13
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Hung GY, Chen PY, Horng JL, Lin LY. Vincristine exposure impairs skin keratinocytes, ionocytes, and lateral-line hair cells in developing zebrafish embryos. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 230:105703. [PMID: 33249295 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination by anticancer pharmaceuticals has been widely reported. These drugs are not readily biodegradable, and their parent compounds and/or metabolites have been detected in surface waters and groundwater throughout the world. Adverse effects of anticancer drugs occur frequently in cancer patients, and a large body of clinical knowledge has accumulated. However, the effects of these drugs on aquatic organisms have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute exposure to a common anticancer drug, vincristine (VCR), on zebrafish embryonic development and skin function. After 96 h of VCR exposure (0, 1, 10, 15, and 25 mg/L), significant teratogenic effects were observed, including growth retardation, pericardial edema, spine, tail, and yolk sac malformations (VCR ≥ 15 mg/L), a decreased heart rate, and ocular malformations (VCR ≥ 10 mg/L). The value of the half lethal concentration for zebrafish embryos was 20.6 mg/L. At ≥10 mg/L VCR, systemic ion contents and acid secretion in the skin over the yolk-sac decreased, and these findings were associated with decreases in skin ionocytes (H+-ATPase-rich cells and Na+-K+-ATPase-rich cells). Also, the microridge-structure of skin keratinocytes was significantly damaged. The number of lateral line hair cells was reduced when VCR was ≥10 mg/L, and functional impairment was detected when VCR was as low as 1 mg/L. Results of this in vivo study in zebrafish embryos indicate that acute exposure to VCR can lead to developmental defects, impairment of skin functions, and even fish death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giun-Yi Hung
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201 Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 155 Linong St., Sec. 2, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, 88 Ting-Chow Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei 11677, Taiwan.
| | - Po-Yen Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, 88 Ting-Chow Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei 11677, Taiwan.
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14
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Yen HJ, Lin JR, Yeh YH, Horng JL, Lin LY. Exposure to colistin impairs skin keratinocytes and lateral-line hair cells in zebrafish embryos. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128364. [PMID: 33297279 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination by antibiotics has become a global issue. Colistin, a cationic antimicrobial polypeptide, has been widely used in human/veterinary medicine, and growth promotion in aquaculture. However, no study has been conducted to test the toxic effects of colistin on aquatic animals. In this study, we examined the effects of colistin on zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish embryos were incubated in different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 3, and 10 μM) of colistin for 96 h. Colistin increased the mortality rate in a dose-dependent manner (LC50 was 3.0 μM or 3.5 mg L-1), but it did not change the hatching rate, heart rate, body length, eye size, or yolk size of embryos. However, colistin impaired keratinocytes and lateral-line hair cells in the skin of embryos. Colistin (at concentrations ≥0.1 μM) decreased the number of FM1-43-labeled hair cells and reduced the mechanotransduction-mediated Ca2+ influx at hair bundles, suggesting that sublethal concentrations of colistin can impair lateral line function. To investigate the lethal injury, morphological changes were sequentially observed in post-hatched embryos subjected to lethal concentrations of colistin. We found that skin keratinocytes were severely damaged and detached after exposure, leading to hypotonic swelling of the yolk sac, loss of ion contents, cell lysis, and eventual death. This study revealed that acute colistin exposure can impair skin cells and pose a threat to fish survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Ju Yen
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rou Lin
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hsin Yeh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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15
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Lee CY, Horng JL, Liu ST, Lin LY. Exposure to copper nanoparticles impairs ion uptake, and acid and ammonia excretion by ionocytes in zebrafish embryos. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 261:128051. [PMID: 33113650 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The potential toxicity of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) to early stages of fishes is not fully understood, and little is known about their effects on ionocytes and associated functions. This study used zebrafish embryos as a model to investigate the toxic effects of CuNPs on two subtypes of ionocytes. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0.1, 1, and 3 mg L-1 CuNPs for 96 h. After exposure, whole-body Na+ and Ca2+ contents were significantly reduced at ≥0.1 mg L-1, while the K+ content had decreased at ≥1 mg L-1. H+ and NH4+ excretion by the skin significantly decreased at ≥1 mg L-1. The number of living ionocytes labeled with rhodamine-123 had significantly decreased with ≥0.1 mg L-1 CuNPs. The ionocyte subtypes of H+-ATPase-rich (HR) and Na+/K+-ATPase-rich (NaR) cells were labeled by immunostaining and had decreased with ≥1 mg L-1. Shrinkage of the apical opening of ionocytes was revealed by scanning electronic microscopy. Functional impairment was also reflected by changes in gene expressions, including ion transporters/channels and Ca2+-regulatory hormones. This study shows that CuNP exposure can impair two subtypes of ionocytes and their associated functions, including Na+/Ca2+ uptake and H+/NH4+ excretion in zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ying Lee
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lin Horng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sian-Tai Liu
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yih Lin
- Department of Life Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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