Single and Combined Effects of Zinc and Manganese on the Bivalve Anodontites trapesialis: Complementary Endpoints to Support the Hypothesis of Manganese Promoting Metabolic Suppression in Gills

Manganese (Mn) might stimulate the valve closure reflex in the freshwater bivalve Anodontites trapesialis, leading to metabolic suppression, whereas zinc (Zn) is not able to modify this behavior. To investigate this particular response, we exposed A. trapesialis specimens to Mn (0.5 mg L^-1 ) and Zn (1.0 mg L^-1 ) alone, and to their mixture, to measure further endpoints in different clam tissues: glycogen level in gills, and calcium (Ca²⁺ ), sodium (Na⁺ ), and chloride (Cl^- ) concentrations in the hemolymph. Furthermore, we used cutting-edge technology, proteomics, to evaluate modifications in protein patterns under the 3 exposure tests. The main results highlighted that only Mn caused a clear drop in glycogen levels in gills, an increase in Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ , and a simultaneous decrease in Cl^- concentration in the hemolymph. The proteomic analysis confirmed that Mn promoted more effects in A. trapesialis than the other tested conditions, because the number of proteins modulated was higher than the results obtained after exposure to Zn and the mixture. Moreover, 11 of the 12 modulated proteins were down-expressed. These results consolidate the hypothesis that Mn might suppress gill metabolic rate in A. trapesialis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2480-2485. © 2019 SETAC.

Single and combined effects of Zn, Mn and Fe on the Neotropical freshwater bivalve Anodontites trapesialis: Bioaccumulation and biochemical biomarkers

Important concentrations of Zn, Mn and Fe were detected in a stream near a coal mining area and promoted, in field, biomarkers alterations in the bivalve Anodontites trapesialis. In order to understand the isolated and mixed effects of these metals on these Neotropical bivalves, we run short-term experiments under laboratory controlled conditions. After 96 h-exposure, tissues (gills, mantle, digestive gland, muscle, hemolymph) were removed for metal bioaccumulation analysis, oxidative stress biomarkers (reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity, lipoperoxidation (LPO), proteins carbonylation (PC), metallothionein (MT), activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase and hemocytes DNA damage) and cholinesterase (ChE versus ASCh activity) activity evaluation. We run three independent tests. In Zn test, clams were exposed to three concentrations of Zn (0.18 mg L^-1, 1.0 mg L^-1, 5.0 mg L^-1); in Mn test, clams were exposed to three concentrations of Mn (0.1 mg L^-1, 0.5 mg L^-1, 5.0 mg L^-1) and in Mix test, clams were exposed to the mixture Zn (1 mg L^-1) + Mn (0.5 mg L^-1), with and without Fe (5.0 mg L^-1). After single exposure to 5.0 mg L^-1, Zn bioaccumulated in all tissues, but only in mantle and hemolymph after exposure to 1.0 mg L^-1. The increased MT in gills of A. trapesialis exposed to Zn appears to be sufficient to avoid damage, since LPO occurred only in digestive glands from animals exposed to 5.0 mg L^-1. We suggested that A. trapesialis had a metabolic suppression in consequence of Mn presence, based on the following results: the decrease of ROS in gills, the decrease of the Zn and Mn concentrations in tissues and the decrease of ChE versus ASCh activity in muscle. Despite this, animals exposed to Mn suffer oxidative damages (LPO and PC) in the mantle and digestive gland and MT increased in the mantle. These results showed A. trapesialis responded differently to each metal and Mn caused more damage. When exposed to Fe, gills level of ROS was increased, despite no changes in metal accumulation occurred. On the other hand, after exposure to the mixtures, tissues bioaccumulated Zn and previously observed damages caused by Mn and Fe disappeared. Consequently, biomarkers were less affected under mixture treatments, demonstrating mixtures effects or responses were not simply a combination of single exposures to Zn, Mn and Fe, but depend on metals toxicokinetics.

Multi-biomarker investigation to assess toxicity induced by two antidepressants on Dreissena polymorpha

Antidepressants are one of the main pharmaceutical classes detected in the aquatic environment. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of information regarding their potential adverse effects on non-target organisms. Thus, the aim of this study was the evaluation of sub-lethal effects on the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha of two antidepressants commonly found in the aquatic environment, namely Fluoxetine (FLX) and Citalopram (CT). D. polymorpha specimens were exposed to FLX and CT alone and to their mixture (MIX) at the environmental concentration of 500ng/L for 14days. We evaluated the sub-lethal effects in the mussel soft tissues by means of a biomarker suite: the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the activity of the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The oxidative damage was evaluated by lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PCC), while genetic damage was tested on D. polymorpha hemocytes by Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) assay, DNA diffusion assay and micronucleus test (MN test). Finally, the functionality of the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was measured in D. polymorpha gills. Our results highlight that CT, MIX and to a lesser extent FLX, caused a significant alteration of the oxidative status of bivalves, accompanied by a significant reduction of P-gp efflux activity. However, only FLX induced a slight, but significant, increase in apoptotic and necrotic cell frequencies. Considering the variability in biomarker response and to perform a toxicity comparison of tested molecules, we integrated each endpoint into the Biomarker Response Index (BRI). The data integration showed that 500ng/L of FLX, CT and their MIX have the same toxicity on bivalves.

Metals bioaccumulation and biomarkers responses in the Neotropical freshwater clam Anodontites trapesialis: Implications for monitoring coal mining areas

As one of the most impactful industries, coal mining can promote several alterations at surrounding environment. In surface water, elevated concentrations of metals like Mn, Zn, Fe and Al are often observed. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the bioaccumulation and the sub-lethal effects of these metals on various organs of the Neotropical bivalve Anodontites trapesialis confined along a stream located near a coal mine, in order to assess a set of biomarkers that could be used for effectively monitoring coal mining areas. Clams were caged, for 96h, at two sites located upstream (Up1 and Up2) and two sites downstream (Dw1 and Dw2) from the mine. Metals bioaccumulation was determined in gills, mantle, digestive gland, muscle and hemolymph and the following biomarkers were measured in A. trapesialis tissues: total antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals, metallothionein content, lipid peroxidation (LPO), proteins carbonylation, glutathione S-transferase activity, superoxide dismutase activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The results showed that Al and Fe bioaccumulation in the gills and hemolymph, Al bioaccumulation in the mantle and muscle, increased LPO in the gills (Dw1 and Dw2) and mantle (Dw1), as well as reduced AChE activity in the muscle (Dw1 and Dw2) should be considered effective biomarkers for monitoring coal mining areas. A. trapesialis proved to be an efficient biological model, considering that biomarkers responses were observed in the clams after only 96h of confinement at Dw sites, accordingly this species could be a good candidate for monitoring Neotropical freshwaters.

Biomarkers in the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea confined downstream a domestic landfill leachate discharge

Landfills represent a severe environmental problem mainly due to the generation of leachates, and this study aimed to evaluate sublethal effects of a domestic landfill leachate in the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea. Clams were submitted to in situ tests along a stream, at three sites, representing increasing distances from the leachate discharge (Pq1, Pq2, and Pq3), for 1, 5, and 15 days. The following biomarkers were analyzed in the gills and digestive glands: 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, multixenobiotic resistance mechanism (MXR), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Metallothionein (MT) content was determined in the gills and DNA damage in hemocytes. The mortality rate of animals during in situ tests was reduced as the distance from the leachate discharge source increased. On the other hand, biomarker results showed sublethal effects on C. fluminea confined at all sites of PqS. GST, TAC, ROS, and DNA damage were the most significant biomarkers for this species and should be considered for future monitoring and assessment of freshwater environments located in landfill areas.

Multiple biomarker responses in Prochilodus lineatus subjected to short-term in situ exposure to streams from agricultural areas in Southern Brazil

In order to assess the quality of streams susceptible to contamination by pesticides we apply biochemical and genotoxic biomarkers in the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus submitted to in situ tests. Fish were caged, for 96 h, in two streams located in areas with intensive use of pesticides, the Apertados (AP) and the Jacutinga (JC), and in a small stream (Godoy stream — GD) found inside a forest fragment adjacent to a State Park. Biochemical parameters, such as biotransformation enzymes 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), non-protein thiols (NPSH), lipoperoxidation (LPO), protein carbonylation (PCO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were evaluated in various fish organs, as well as genotoxic biomarkers (damage to DNA and occurrence of micronuclei and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities). Samples of water and sediment were collected for analysis of metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cd and Zn), organochloride pesticides, and triazine and glyphosate herbicides. We observed an increase in liver GST activity in fish at AP and gill GST activity in fish at JC. An increase in liver LPO was also observed in fish exposed to AP and JC. The same animals also exhibited increased DNA damage and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) compared to the fish kept in GD. A number of compounds showed concentrations higher than the permitted levels, in particular, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), its metabolites dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), heptachloride, diclofluanid and aldrins. These pesticides were detected at higher concentrations in water and sediment samples from AP, followed by JC and GD. The Integrated Biomarker Response Index (IBR) indicated that AP and JC (AP: 21.7 > JC: 18.5 > GD: 12.6) have the worst environmental quality. Integrated biomarker analysis revealed that the alterations observed related well with the levels of environmental contaminants, demonstrating the effectiveness of this biomonitoring approach.

Chromium accumulation in the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774), as an indicative of landfill leachate contamination

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea exposed in situ for periods of 1, 5, 15 and 30 days along a stream which receives landfill leachate effluent showed increased Cr accumulation in gills and digestive gland, although Cr concentrations have been found to be low in sediment. Other metals such as Pb, Ni, Al and Cu were also analyzed but were found to accumulate in clam tissues in lower concentrations or without showing a consistent pattern. Thus, the accumulation of a single contaminant such as Cr is proposed to be used as a tool to assess exposure to a complex mixture such as landfill leachates.

In vitro minocycline activity on superinfecting microorganisms isolated from chronic periodontitis patients

Chronic periodontitis is the most common type of periodontitis and it is associated with various species of microorganisms. Enteric rods, Pseudomonas, Staphyloccocus and Candida have been retrieved from periodontal pockets of patients with chronic periodontitis and correlated to cases of superinfection. Local or systemic antibiotic therapy is indicated to reinforce the effects of the conventional mechanical therapy. Minocycline has been suggested as one of the most effective drugs against periodontal pathogens. The aim of this work was to evaluate the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of minocycline on superinfecting microorganisms isolated from the periodontal pocket and the oral cavity of individuals with chronic periodontitis. Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae (n = 25), Staphylococcus spp. (n = 25), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 9) and Candida spp. (n = 25) were included in the study. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of minocycline were determined using the Müeller-Hinton agar dilution method. Staphylococcus spp. isolates were the most sensitive to minocycline with a MIC of 8 µg/mL, followed by Enterobacteriaceae with a MIC of 16 µg/mL. The concentration of 16 µg/mL inhibited 96% of Candida spp. isolates. The MIC for 88.8% of the isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 128 µg/mL. A concentration of 1,000 µg/mL was not enough to inhibit 100% of the tested isolates.