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Campàs M, Reverté J, Tudó À, Alkassar M, Diogène J, Sureda FX. Automated Patch Clamp for the Detection of Tetrodotoxin in Pufferfish Samples. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:176. [PMID: 38667793 PMCID: PMC11050952 DOI: 10.3390/md22040176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a marine toxin responsible for many intoxications around the world. Its presence in some pufferfish species and, as recently reported, in shellfish, poses a serious health concern. Although TTX is not routinely monitored, there is a need for fast, sensitive, reliable, and simple methods for its detection and quantification. In this work, we describe the use of an automated patch clamp (APC) system with Neuro-2a cells for the determination of TTX contents in pufferfish samples. The cells showed an IC50 of 6.4 nM for TTX and were not affected by the presence of muscle, skin, liver, and gonad tissues of a Sphoeroides pachygaster specimen (TTX-free) when analysed at 10 mg/mL. The LOD achieved with this technique was 0.05 mg TTX equiv./kg, which is far below the Japanese regulatory limit of 2 mg TTX equiv./kg. The APC system was applied to the analysis of extracts of a Lagocephalus sceleratus specimen, showing TTX contents that followed the trend of gonads > liver > skin > muscle. The APC system, providing an in vitro toxicological approach, offers the advantages of being sensitive, rapid, and reliable for the detection of TTX-like compounds in seafood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mònica Campàs
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
| | - Jaume Reverté
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
| | - Àngels Tudó
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
| | - Mounira Alkassar
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
| | - Jorge Diogène
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
| | - Francesc X. Sureda
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
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Kampouris TE, Pappou S, Erga Z, Kouloumperis V, Batjakas IE. Assessing the fish fauna diversity and abundance at Aegean and Ionian seas, with emphasis on certain NIS fish species via Scientific diving and Visual Census. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294770. [PMID: 38019872 PMCID: PMC10686517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea and its exceptional biodiversity suffer from non-indigenous (NIS) and invasive species. These result from Lessepsian migration and human activities. Species with the highest negative impact include Pterois miles, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Fistularia commersonii. The current study assessed the distribution and abundance of these three species in the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the context of the regional diversity of ichthyofauna. Using Scientific Diving and Visual Census, we focused on NIS fish fauna, and surveyed most of the areas where the occurrence or establishment of NIS had been documented. Emphasis was given to regions with limited available data. This study assessed the homogeneity of diversity and abundance of the fish species at the diving sites; assessed the most dominant species per region; and calculated relevant biodiversity indexes. Our results suggest that the south and east parts of the Aegean Sea are the most affected by the establishment of NIS. Samos Island is concluded to be an important region for the expansion of NIS to the northern parts of the Aegean Sea. Also, both the Saronikos Gulf and the whole area of the Peloponnese seem to have a pivotal role in the expansion of distribution of NIS from the east Mediterranean sub-basin to the west sub-basin. The genus Siganus seems to have very high abundances and population densities in certain areas, and therefore its establishment could have negative impacts in these regions. We conclude that scientific diving is not appropriate for monitoring the population status of L. sceleratus and we propose more appropriate methodologies such as the use of baited cameras and ROV's to be used in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thodoros E. Kampouris
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Lesvos Island, Mytilene, Greece
- Astrolabe-Marine Research, Lesvos Island, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Sofia Pappou
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Lesvos Island, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Zinovia Erga
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Lesvos Island, Mytilene, Greece
- Oceanides-Institute of Marine Research & Education
| | - Vasilis Kouloumperis
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Lesvos Island, Mytilene, Greece
- 16, Athanasiou Diakou str., 17343, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis E. Batjakas
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Lesvos Island, Mytilene, Greece
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Kosker AR, Karakus M, Katikou P, Dal İ, Durmus M, Ucar Y, Ayas D, Özogul F. Monthly Variation of Tetrodotoxin Levels in Pufferfish ( Lagocephalus sceleratus) Caught from Antalya Bay, Mediterranean Sea. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:527. [PMID: 37888462 PMCID: PMC10608123 DOI: 10.3390/md21100527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive alien pufferfish species that has rapidly settled throughout the Mediterranean region, poses significant threats not only to native marine species and fisheries but also to public health due to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) they harbor. In this study, TTX concentrations in L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated using Q-TOF-LC-MS on a monthly basis over a one-year period. Pufferfish were caught by angling from May 2018 to April 2019. The TTX levels in three different tissues (gonads, liver, and muscle) of 110 pufferfish in total were determined in both male and female individuals caught for 11 months. The highest TTX mean levels generally occurred in the gonads and the lowest in the muscle samples. As regards the maximum TTX contents, the highest concentrations determined were 68.2, 34.2, and 7.8 µg/g in the gonad, liver, and muscle tissues, respectively. The highest levels were generally observed in late autumn to winter (especially in November and December) in all tissues from both genders. Female individuals were generally found to be more toxic than male individuals. The TTX levels found confirm that the consumption of L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay remains dangerous throughout the year, and thus L. sceleratus constantly constitutes an important risk source for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rıza Kosker
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
| | - Merve Karakus
- Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, Demre Unit, 07570 Antalya, Turkey; (M.K.); (İ.D.)
| | - Panagiota Katikou
- Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA, Ktima Thermis, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - İsmail Dal
- Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, Demre Unit, 07570 Antalya, Turkey; (M.K.); (İ.D.)
| | - Mustafa Durmus
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
| | - Yılmaz Ucar
- Vocational School of Aladag, Department of Forestry, Cukurova University, 01720 Adana, Turkey;
| | - Deniz Ayas
- Fisheries Faculty, Mersin University, 33169 Mersin, Turkey;
| | - Fatih Özogul
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
- Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey
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Anastasiou TI, Kagiampaki E, Kondylatos G, Tselepides A, Peristeraki P, Mandalakis M. Assessing the Toxicity of Lagocephalus sceleratus Pufferfish from the Southeastern Aegean Sea and the Relationship of Tetrodotoxin with Gonadal Hormones. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:520. [PMID: 37888455 PMCID: PMC10608560 DOI: 10.3390/md21100520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the dramatic increase in the L. sceleratus population in the southeastern Aegean Sea, there is growing interest in assessing the toxicity of this pufferfish and the factors controlling its tetrodotoxin (TTX) content. In the present study, liver, gonads, muscle and skin of 37 L. sceleratus specimens collected during May and June 2021 from the island of Rhodes, Greece, were subjected to multi-analyte profiling using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in order to quantitate TTX and evaluate whether this biotoxin interrelates with hormones. TTX and its analogues 4-epiTTX, 11-deoxyTTX, 11-norTTX-6-ol, 4,9-anhydroTTX and 5,11/6,11-dideoxyTTX were detected in all tissue types. Liver and gonads were the most toxic tissues, with the highest TTX concentrations being observed in the ovaries of female specimens. Only 22% of the analyzed muscle samples were non-toxic according to the Japanese toxicity threshold (2.2 μg TTX eq g-1), confirming the high poisoning risk from the inadvertent consumption of this species. Four steroid hormones (i.e., cortisol, testosterone, androstenedione and β-estradiol) and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were detected in the gonads. Androstenedione dominated in female specimens, while GnRH was more abundant in males. A positive correlation of TTX and its analogues with β-estradiol was observed. However, a model incorporating sex rather than β-estradiol as the independent variable proven to be more efficient in predicting TTX concentration, implying that other sex-related characteristics are more important than specific hormone-regulated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekla I Anastasiou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eirini Kagiampaki
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Kondylatos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, 85131 Rhodes, Greece
| | | | - Panagiota Peristeraki
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Manolis Mandalakis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
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Chaikin S, De-Beer G, Yitzhak N, Stern N, Belmaker J. The invasive silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) predominantly impacts the behavior of other non-indigenous species in the Eastern Mediterranean. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02972-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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The Dynamics of Maximum Lengths for the Invasive Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The Eastern Mediterranean Sea is the most invaded sea on the planet, with 666 non-indigenous species now recorded in the region. However, not all of these become successful in their new environments. Success here is defined by wide geographical spread, increased abundances, and larger maximum sizes than their native range. The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789) was first recorded in the Mediterranean Sea in 2003. It has now spread to all corners of the basin and is increasingly abundant in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea where it reaches monstrous sizes compared to the maximum sizes reported from its native range. This contribution presents three well-documented new weight records from the Dodecanese Islands, Greece: one specimen weighing 8.5 kg from 2012, and two specimens weighing 8 and 9 kg, respectively, from 2021. The latter is also confirmed with other well-documented larger-size records, along with a physiological hypothesis suggesting how such large sizes are reached.
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