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Qiu X, Zhang Y, Gao J, Cui Y, Dong K, Chen K, Shi Y. Exposure to thimerosal induces behavioral abnormality in the early life stages of zebrafish via altering amino acid homeostasis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 478:135548. [PMID: 39154483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135548] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Thimerosal (THI) has become a significant source of organic mercury pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, but there is limited information regarding its adverse effects on fish. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to THI at 0 (control), 5.0, and 50 ng/L from 0-5 days post fertilization (dpf), and variations in their survival, development, behavior, free amino acid contents, and the biochemical responses involved in monoaminergic systems were examined. Although THI exposure did not significantly affect the survival, heart rate, or hatching time of zebrafish embryos, it substantially increased swimming velocity (136-154 % of the control) and reduced exploratory behavior (141-142 % of the control) in zebrafish larvae at 5 dpf. Exposure also significantly altered the amino acid contents (51-209 % of the control) and monoamine levels (70-154 % of the control) in zebrafish larvae, some of which displayed significant correlations with behavioral traits. THI significantly elevated dopamine receptor gene expression and monoamine oxidase activity in zebrafish larvae. Adding extra phenylalanine or tryptophan to the E3 medium facilitates the recovery of zebrafish larvae from the abnormal behaviors induced by THI. These findings reveal for the first time that THI exposure at the level of ng/L is sufficient to induce neurobehavioral toxic effects in the early life stages of zebrafish, and disrupting amino acid homeostasis is a critical underlying mechanism. This study provides valuable insights into the toxicity of THI to fish and highlights the importance of assessing its potential risks to aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchun Qiu
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
| | - Yibing Zhang
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Jiarui Gao
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yiming Cui
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Kejun Dong
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Kun Chen
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yanhong Shi
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
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Li L, Dong K, Li L, Li Q, Su Y, Zong C. Adverse effects of thimerosal on the early life stages of zebrafish. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 287:110046. [PMID: 39307513 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.110046] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Thimerosal (THI) is an organic mercury compound that is widely used in drugs, vaccines and antibacterial products. Its extensive production and use have resulted in significant environmental contamination, posing a considerable threat to aquatic life. However, the knowledge of the toxicity of THI to aquatic organisms is still insufficient. In this study, we conducted a 5-day THI exposure experiment using zebrafish, from 0 to 5 days post fertilization (dpf). The possible adverse effects of THI on the early-life stages of zebrafish were explored by investigating variations in their physiological parameters, behavioral traits, and neurotransmitter levels. The results showed THI exhibited significant developmental toxicity to aquatic organisms. Exposure to THI significantly induced serious malformation (at 50 μg/L), accelerated hatching, and elevated heart rate (at 5 and 50 μg/L). The behavioral traits of zebrafish larvae had an increased first and then decreased relationship with increasing concentration of THI, which induced hyperactivity at 0.5 μg/L but opposite at 50 μg/L. Furthermore, exposure to 50 μg/L THI significantly raised levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, DA, DOPAC and ACH in zebrafish larvae. In addition, several significant correlations between behavioral traits and the neurotransmitter contents were detected, which seemed to reveal an important mechanism of the neurobehavioral toxicity of THI to fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Li
- The school of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
| | - Kejun Dong
- The school of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - LeYan Li
- The school of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Qingchen Li
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - Youqin Su
- The school of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Chenrui Zong
- The school of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
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Reis Santos EL, Silva O, de Oliveira-Lima J, Camargo-Mathias MI. Effects of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), active principle of detergents, on the liver and kidney of zebrafish ( Danio rerio). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38902975 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2369221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), a predominant component in detergents, requires an evaluation of its toxicological potential due to its hazardous environmental levels. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicological effects of SDBS on the liver and kidney of male D. rerio. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicological effects of SDBS on the liver and kidney of male D. rerio. The fish were divided into three groups: 0.0 (control), 0.25, and 0.5 mg/L of SDBS with exposure for up to 96 hours. After exposure, histopathological, histochemical (hepatic glycogen content), and biochemical analyses (SOD and CAT enzyme analysis) were performed on both organs. The results showed significant histopathological effects, such as circulatory disturbances and progressive and regressive alterations, leading to an altered histopathological alteration index. SOD and CAT enzymes exhibited prominent changes. Thus, it became clear that the surfactant SDBS can cause serious hepatic and renal problems in D. rerio fish, even with short-term exposure, necessitating more stringent control and regulation in the disposal of this surfactant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Libanio Reis Santos
- Department of General and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Odaiza Silva
- Department of General and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Izabel Camargo-Mathias
- Department of General and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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Sales MVS, Barros EDSS, Azevedo RDS, Cunha FAS, Santos JCC, Leite ACR. Does acute exposure to thimerosal, an organic mercury compound, affect the mitochondrial function of an infant model? J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 83:127399. [PMID: 38325180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127399] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thimerosal (TM) is a toxic, organometallic mercury compound (which releases ethyl-mercury-containing compounds in aqueous solutions) used as a preservative in vaccines. Mitochondria are organelle which are highly vulnerable to many chemical compounds, including mercury (Hg) and its derivatives. METHOD Wistar rats (at 21 days of age) were used to model a child's TM exposure following childhood vaccination, divided in two groups: TM exposed (20 μg/kg/day) and unexposed controls (saline solution), both for 24 h. Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry was used to quantify the amounts of mercury in tissues. The electron transport chain (ETC) from isolated mitochondria was evaluated using an oxygen electrode. The mitochondrial membrane potential and H2O2 production were analyzed using selective fluorescence probes. The activity of some enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE) and secondary markers of oxidative stress (GSH, GSSG, total free thiol) were also examined in tissues. RESULTS Hg accumulation in the brain and liver was higher in exposed animals when compared to the control. Liver-isolated mitochondria showed that TM improved respiratory control by 23%; however, states 3 and 4 of the ETC presented a decrease of 16% and 37%, respectively. Furthermore, brain-isolated mitochondria presented an improvement of 61% in respiratory control. Brain enzyme activities were significantly impacted in TM-exposed rats compared to unexposed rats as follows: decreases in SOD (32%) and AChE (42%) and increases in GPx (79%) and CAT (100%). GPx enzyme activity in the liver was significantly increased (37%). Among secondary oxidative stress markers, the brain's total reduced thiol (SH) concentration was significantly increased (41%). CONCLUSION Acute TM treatment exposure in a Wistar rat model mimicking TM exposure in an infant following childhood vaccination significantly damaged brain bioenergetic pathways. This study supports the ability of TM exposure to preferentially damage the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos V S Sales
- Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL), Campus A. C. Simões, 57072-900 Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael D S Azevedo
- Universidade de Pernambuco (UPE), Campus Garanhuns, 55294-902 São José, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Francisco A S Cunha
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Campus Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Ana C R Leite
- Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL), Campus A. C. Simões, 57072-900 Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
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Zhao W, Chen Y, Hu N, Long D, Cao Y. The uses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an in vivo model for toxicological studies: A review based on bibliometrics. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116023. [PMID: 38290311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116023] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
An in vivo model is necessary for toxicology. This review analyzed the uses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in toxicology based on bibliometrics. Totally 56,816 publications about zebrafish from 2002 to 2023 were found in Web of Science Core Collection, with Toxicology as the top 6 among all disciplines. Accordingly, the bibliometric map reveals that "toxicity" has become a hot keyword. It further reveals that the most common exposure types include acute, chronic, and combined exposure. The toxicological effects include behavioral, intestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive and transgenerational toxicity. The mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and dysbiosis of gut microbiota. The toxicants commonly evaluated by using zebrafish model include nanomaterials, arsenic, metals, bisphenol, and dioxin. Overall, zebrafish provide a unique and well-accepted model to investigate the toxicological effects and mechanisms. We also discussed the possible ways to address some of the limitations of zebrafish model, such as the combination of human organoids to avoid species differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichao Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, PR China
| | - Yuna Chen
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, PR China
| | - Nan Hu
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, PR China.
| | - Dingxin Long
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, PR China.
| | - Yi Cao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, PR China.
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