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de Farias Araujo G, de Oliveira LVA, Hoff RB, Wosnick N, Vianna M, Verruck S, Hauser-Davis RA, Saggioro EM. "Cocaine Shark": First report on cocaine and benzoylecgonine detection in sharks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174798. [PMID: 39019288 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE), the main COC metabolite, have been detected in aquatic ecosystems. Studies focusing on wild fish are, however, very limited, and no reports concerning elasmobranchs are available. This study investigated COC and BE levels in Brazilian Sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) (n = 13) using LC-MS/MS. All samples (13/13) tested positive for COC, with 92 % (12/13) testing positive for BE. COC concentrations (23.0 μg kg-1) were over 3-fold higher than BE (7.0 μg kg-1). COC levels were about three-fold significantly higher in muscle (33.8 ± 33.4 g kg-1) compared to liver (12.2 ± 14.2 μg kg-1). Females presented higher COC concentrations in muscle (40.2 ± 35.8 μg kg-1) compared to males (12.4 ± 5.9 μg kg-1). Several positive statistical correlations were noted between COC and BE (rho = 0.84) in females, indicating systemic COC transport and metabolization, as well as between BE and weight (rho = 0.62), and between COC and the Condition Factor (rho = 0.73). A strong correlation was noted between BE and COC in the muscle of non-pregnant females (rho = 1.00). This study represents the first COC and BE report in free-ranging sharks, and the findings point to the potential impacts of the presence of illicit drugs in environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel de Farias Araujo
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luan Valdemiro Alves de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Barcellos Hoff
- Sepor Laboratorial Avançado em Santa Catarina (SLAV/SC), Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Vianna
- Laboratório de Biologia e Tecnologia Pesqueira, Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IMAM - AquaRio, Rio de Janeiro Aquarium Research Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Silvani Verruck
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Enrico Mendes Saggioro
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Falfushynska H, Rychter P, Boshtova A, Faidiuk Y, Kasianchuk N, Rzymski P. Illicit Drugs in Surface Waters: How to Get Fish off the Addictive Hook. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:537. [PMID: 38675497 PMCID: PMC11054822 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The United Nations World Drug Report published in 2022 alarmed that the global market of illicit drugs is steadily expanding in space and scale. Substances of abuse are usually perceived in the light of threats to human health and public security, while the environmental aspects of their use and subsequent emissions usually remain less explored. However, as with other human activities, drug production, trade, and consumption of drugs may leave their environmental mark. Therefore, this paper aims to review the occurrence of illicit drugs in surface waters and their bioaccumulation and toxicity in fish. Illicit drugs of different groups, i.e., psychostimulants (methamphetamines/amphetamines, cocaine, and its metabolite benzoylecgonine) and depressants (opioids: morphine, heroin, methadone, fentanyl), can reach the aquatic environment through wastewater discharge as they are often not entirely removed during wastewater treatment processes, resulting in their subsequent circulation in nanomolar concentrations, potentially affecting aquatic biota, including fish. Exposure to such xenobiotics can induce oxidative stress and dysfunction to mitochondrial and lysosomal function, distort locomotion activity by regulating the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems, increase the predation risk, instigate neurological disorders, disbalance neurotransmission, and produce histopathological alterations in the brain and liver tissues, similar to those described in mammals. Hence, this drugs-related multidimensional harm to fish should be thoroughly investigated in line with environmental protection policies before it is too late. At the same time, selected fish species (e.g., Danio rerio, zebrafish) can be employed as models to study toxic and binge-like effects of psychoactive, illicit compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halina Falfushynska
- Faculty of Economics, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, 06406 Bernburg, Germany
| | - Piotr Rychter
- Faculty of Science & Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42200 Czestochowa, Poland;
| | | | - Yuliia Faidiuk
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53114 Wrocław, Poland;
- Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology and Medicine”, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 2 Prospekt Hlushkov, 03022 Kyiv, Ukraine
- Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 154 Zabolotny Str., 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Nadiia Kasianchuk
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61712 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60806 Poznań, Poland;
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Wright T, Adhikari A. Reply to Mehrotra et al. Wastewater-Based Surveillance Does Not Belong in a Regulatory Framework Designed to Protect Waters That Receive Treated Wastewater. Comment on "Wright, T.; Adhikari, A. Utilizing a National Wastewater Monitoring Program to Address the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Focus on Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 5282". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6637. [PMID: 37681778 PMCID: PMC10487908 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
We are honored that authors are reading our manuscript [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Wright
- University College, University of Denver, 2211 South Josephine Street, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Atin Adhikari
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, 501 Forest Drive, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA;
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De Felice B, De Pascalis F, Manenti R, Pavlovic R, di Cesare F, Nasti R, Beretta G, Parolini M. Differential biochemical and behavioral responses induced by cocaine and benzoylecgonine exposure to the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157025. [PMID: 35777565 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157025] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine (COC) and its main metabolite, the benzoylecgonine (BE), are the main illicit drugs measured in aquatic system worldwide, with concentrations up to hundreds of ng/L. Although their current environmental concentrations are low these molecules can induce adverse effects at sub-individual level in non-target organisms. In contrast, the information at individual and behavioral level are still scant. The present study aimed at investigating biochemical and behavioral effects induced by 14-days exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (50 ng/L and 500 ng/L) of COC and BE towards Procambarus clarkii. At sub-individual level, the activity of antioxidant and detoxifying (superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, glutathione peroxidase - GPx and glutathione S-transferases - GST) enzymes, as well as the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), were measured as oxidative stress-related endpoints. We also measured the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity to check for neurotoxic effect of COC and BE. At individual level, the modulation of some behavioral tasks (i.e., response to external stimuli, changes in feeding activity and exploration of a new environment) were assessed. Although both COC and BE exposure did not induce an oxidative stress situation, a significant inhibition of AChE activity was noted, resulting in behavioral changes in crayfish exposed to COC only. Crayfish exposed to the higher COC concentration showed an increase in the boldness and a decrease in the feeding activity, suggesting that COC may act according to its psychotropic mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice De Felice
- University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Federico De Pascalis
- University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Raoul Manenti
- University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Radmila Pavlovic
- University of Milan, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Via dell'Università 6, I-26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Federica di Cesare
- University of Milan, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Via dell'Università 6, I-26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Rita Nasti
- University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giangiacomo Beretta
- University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
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Aquatic Pollution and Risks to Biodiversity: The Example of Cocaine Effects on the Ovaries of Anguilla anguilla. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141766. [PMID: 35883315 PMCID: PMC9312106 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollution is one of the main causes of the loss of biodiversity, currently one of the most important environmental problems. Important sources of aquatic pollution are illicit drugs, whose presence in waters is closely related to human consumption; their psychoactive properties and biological activity suggest potential adverse effects on non-target organisms, such as aquatic biota. In this study, we evaluated the effect of an environmentally relevant concentration of cocaine (20 ng L−1), an illicit drug widely found in surface waters, on the ovaries of Anguilla anguilla, a species critically endangered and able to accumulate cocaine in its tissues following chronic exposure. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) the morphology of the ovaries; (2) the presence and distribution of enzymes involved in oogenesis; (3) serum cortisol, FSH, and LH levels. The eels exposed to cocaine showed a smaller follicular area and a higher percentage of connective tissue than controls (p < 0.05), as well as many previtellogenic oocytes compared with controls having numerous fully vitellogenic and early vitellogenic oocytes. In addition, the presence and location of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and P450 aromatase differed in the two groups. Finally, cocaine exposure decreased FSH and LH levels, while it increased cortisol levels. These findings show that even a low environmental concentration of cocaine affects the ovarian morphology and activity of A. anguilla, suggesting a potential impact on reproduction in this species.
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Chen L, Guo C, Sun Z, Xu J. Occurrence, bioaccumulation and toxicological effect of drugs of abuse in aquatic ecosystem: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111362. [PMID: 34048744 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse are a group of emerging contaminants. As the prevalence of manufacture and consumption, there is a growing global environmental burden and ecological risk from the continuous release of these contaminants into environment. The widespread occurrence of drugs of abuse in waste wasters and surface waters is due to the incomplete removal through traditional wastewater treatment plants in different regions around the world. Although their environmental concentrations are not very high, they can potentially influence the aquatic organisms and ecosystem function. This paper reviews the occurrence of drugs of abuse and their metabolites in waste waters and surface waters, their bioaccumulation in aquatic plants, fishes and benthic organisms and even top predators, and the toxicological effects such as genotoxic effect, cytotoxic effect and even behavioral effect on aquatic organisms. In summary, drugs of abuse occur widely in aquatic environment, and may exert adverse impact on aquatic organisms at molecular, cellular or individual level, and even on aquatic ecosystem. It necessitates the monitoring and risk assessment of these compounds on diverse aquatic organisms in the further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Like Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Changsheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhenyu Sun
- Jiangsu Rainfine Environmental Science and Technology Co.,Ltd, Henan Branch Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Jian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
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7
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Capaldo A, Gay F, Caputo I, Lionetti L, Paolella G, Di Gregorio I, Martucciello S, Di Lorenzo M, Rosati L, Laforgia V. Effects of environmental cocaine concentrations on COX and caspase-3 activity, GRP-78, ALT, CRP and blood glucose levels in the liver and kidney of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111475. [PMID: 33068975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world, and as a result of incomplete removal by sewage treatment plants it is found in surface waters, where it represents a new potential risk for aquatic organisms. In this study we evaluated the influence of environmental concentrations of cocaine on the liver and the kidney of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The eels were exposed to 20 ng L-1 of cocaine for fifty days, after which, three and ten days after the interruption of cocaine exposure their livers and kidneys were compared to controls. The general morphology of the two organs was evaluated, as well as the following parameters: cytochrome oxidase (COX) and caspase-3 activities, as markers of oxidative metabolism and apoptosis activation, respectively; glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78 levels, as a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress; blood glucose level, as stress marker; serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as a marker of liver injury and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), as a marker of the inflammatory process. The liver showed morphologic alterations such as necrotic areas, karyolysis and pyknotic nuclei, while the kidneys had dilated glomeruli and the renal tubules showed pyknotic nuclei and karyolysis. In the kidney, the alterations persisted after the interruption of cocaine exposure. In the liver, COX and caspase-3 activities increased (COX: P = 0.01; caspase-3: P = 0.032); ten days after the interruption of cocaine exposure, COX activity returned to control levels (P = 0.06) whereas caspase-3 activity decreased further (P = 0.012); GRP78 expression increased only in post-exposure recovery specimens (three days: P = 0.007 and ten days: P = 0.008 after the interruption of cocaine exposure, respectively). In the kidney, COX and caspase-3 activities increased (COX: P = 0.02; caspase-3: P = 0.019); after the interruption of cocaine exposure, COX activity remained high (three days: P = 0.02 and ten days: P = 0.029 after the interruption of cocaine exposure, respectively) whereas caspase-3 activity returned to control values (three days: P = 0.69 and ten days: P = 0.67 after the interruption of cocaine exposure, respectively). Blood glucose and serum ALT and CRP levels increased (blood glucose: P = 0.01; ALT: P = 0.001; CRP: 0.015) and remained high also ten days after the interruption of cocaine exposure (blood glucose: P = 0.009; ALT: P = 0.0031; CRP: 0.036). These results suggest that environmental cocaine concentrations adversely affected liver and kidney of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Capaldo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Flaminia Gay
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ivana Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; ELFID (European Laboratory for Food-Induced Diseases), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lillà Lionetti
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; ELFID (European Laboratory for Food-Induced Diseases), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetana Paolella
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Gregorio
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Stefania Martucciello
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mariana Di Lorenzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosati
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenza Laforgia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Fontes MK, Maranho LA, Pereira CDS. Review on the occurrence and biological effects of illicit drugs in aquatic ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:30998-31034. [PMID: 32361972 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08375-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Illicit drugs (IDs) and their metabolites are recognized as contaminants of emerging concern. After consumption, illicit drugs are partially metabolized and excreted unchanged in urine and feces or as active metabolites reaching wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Furthermore, most WWTPs are insufficient in the treatment of effluents containing IDs, which may be released into aquatic ecosystems. Once in the water or sediment, these substances may interact and affect non-target organisms and some evidences suggest that illicit drugs may exhibit pseudo-persistence because of a continuous environmental input, resulting in long-term exposure to aquatic organisms that may be negatively affected by these biologically active compounds. We reviewed the literature on origin and consumption, human metabolism after consumption, aquatic occurrences, and toxicity of the major groups of illicit drugs (opioids, cannabis, synthetic drugs, and cocaine). As a result, it could be concluded that illicit drugs and their metabolites are widespread in diverse aquatic ecosystems in levels able to trigger sublethal effects to non-target organisms, besides to concentrate in seafood. This class of emerging contaminants represents a new environmental concern to academics, managers, and policymakers, whose would be able to assess risks and identify proper responses to reduce environmental impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Camilo Dias Seabra Pereira
- Department of Ecotoxicology, Santa Cecília University, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Mastrodonato M, Calamita G, Mentino D, Scillitani G. High-fat Diet Alters the Glycosylation Patterns of Duodenal Mucins in a Murine Model. J Histochem Cytochem 2020; 68:279-294. [PMID: 32141795 DOI: 10.1369/0022155420911930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) alters the glycosylation patterns of intestinal mucins leading to several health problems. We studied by histochemical and lectin-binding methods mucin alterations in the duodenum of mice fed a HFD for 25 weeks. Histochemical methods included periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue pH 2.5, and high-iron diamine. Lectin-binding experiments were performed with SBA, PNA, WGA, MAA-II, SNA, ConA, UEA-I, LTA, and AAA. SBA, PNA, WGA, MAA-II, and SNA were tested also after desulfation and ConA after periodate-sodium borohydrate treatments (paradoxical ConA). Duodenal mucins are secreted by Brunner's glands and goblet cells in the villi. Brunner's glands of HFD mice showed increased secreting activity and a general reduction of glycosylated residuals, such as fucose and terminal α1,4-linked GlcNAc. Moreover, a general reduction of glycosylated residuals in the goblet cells of villi such as the fucosylated and sulfated ones was observed. Since the cited residuals are involved in cytoprotective and cytostatic functions, as well as in interactions with the intestinal microbiota and protection against parasites and inflammatory disorders, we conclude that HFD can predispose duodenum to several possible health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
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De Felice B, Salgueiro-González N, Castiglioni S, Saino N, Parolini M. Biochemical and behavioral effects induced by cocaine exposure to Daphnia magna. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 689:141-148. [PMID: 31271983 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Illicit drugs and their metabolites have been identified as emerging aquatic pollutants. Cocaine (COC) is one of the most used illicit drug worldwide. After human consumption, COC enters the aquatic ecosystems, where it is commonly detected in ng L-1 concentration range. Although a number of studies have shown that the exposure to environmental concentrations of COC can induce diverse biochemical, molecular and histological effects on aquatic organisms, the information of COC-induced behavioral alterations is scant. Thus, the present study aimed at exploring both biochemical and behavioral effects induced by the exposure to two environmental concentrations (50 ng L-1 and 500 ng L-1) of COC on the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna. Specimens were exposed to selected COC concentrations for 21 days and the effects on the oxidative status, including the amount of reactive oxygen species and the activity of antioxidant (SOD, CAT and GPx) and detoxifying (GST) enzymes, and swimming activity were investigated after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment, while effects on reproductive success was assessed after 21-days only.. Exposure to COC induced an overproduction of reactive oxygen species and a modulation of the activity of defense enzymes. Moreover, COC affected the swimming behavior and altered the reproductive success of treated specimens. Our results highlighted that environmental concentrations of COC can cause adverse effects at different levels of the biological hierarchy in a zooplanktonic species, confirming the potential threat due to this illicit drug for the aquatic community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Noelia Salgueiro-González
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
The detection and monitoring of illicit drug concentrations in environmental waters is of increasing interest. This study aimed to determine if illicit and regulated compounds, their potential pre-cursors, and metabolites varied in amount discharged into the environment from treated wastewater at different facilities. Water samples were taken from discharge points of four different tertiary wastewater treatment plants discharging directly into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River (Australia) on two different occasions and analysed to determine the concentrations of compounds including: ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine. Here, we show that detectable levels of illicit drug and metabolites are being emitted on a consistent basis after having persisted through the wastewater treatment process. The concentrations of methamphetamine are in excess of previously reported surface water concentrations. The estimated total load of compounds being discharged on a daily basis is greater than similar sized catchment areas. The results presented here are of concern from both an ecological and human health perspective.
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12
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Capriello T, Grimaldi MC, Cofone R, D'Aniello S, Ferrandino I. Effects of aluminium and cadmium on hatching and swimming ability in developing zebrafish. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 222:243-249. [PMID: 30708158 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Aluminium and cadmium are biologically non-essential metals with a role in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. As an attractive model for neurobehavioural studies, zebrafish at 6 h post fertilization were exposed to 9, 18, 36 and 72 μM CdCl2 and 50, 100 and 200 μM AlCl3, respectively, for 72 h, and motility such as distance moved, mean velocity, cumulative movement, meander and heading were measured by DanioVision equipment. The hatching time was also analysed. A delay in the exit from the chorion was observed in all treated larvae with respect to the controls. CdCl2 acted on the exit from the chorion of larvae with a dose-dependent delay. By contrast, the delay caused by AlCl3 was greater at low concentrations. A dose-dependent reduction in swimming performance was observed in the larvae exposed to CdCl2. Instead, for those exposed to AlCl3, swimming performance improved at higher concentrations although values were in general lower than those of control. All the parameters had a similar trend except the meander parameter which showed a dose-dependent reduction. These data show that cadmium and aluminium can delay hatching and alter swimming ability in the early developmental stages of zebrafish, albeit with different effects, suggesting that exposure to sublethal concentrations of both metals can change behavioural parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Capriello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Rita Cofone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - Salvatore D'Aniello
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy.
| | - Ida Ferrandino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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Capaldo A, Gay F, Laforgia V. Changes in the gills of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) after chronic exposure to environmental cocaine concentration. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 169:112-119. [PMID: 30445241 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The recent discovery of illicit drugs in the aquatic environment has raised concerns about the possible effects on the aquatic fauna, because of the pharmacological activity of these substances. Cocaine is an illicit drug widespread in surface waters since it is the third most widely used drug in North America, Western and Central Europe, and the second in Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental concentrations of cocaine on the gills of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The gills of male silver eels exposed to 20 ng L-1 of cocaine for fifty days were compared to control, vehicle control and post-exposure recovery ten days groups. The following parameters were evaluated: the thickness of the interlamellar epithelium (TIE), the length of the secondary lamellae (LSL) and the fraction of the interlamellar epithelium and the secondary lamellae occupied by the mucous cells (MC(IE-SL)FA) 3) the plasma cortisol and prolactin levels. After cocaine exposure, the gill epithelium appeared hyperplastic. The following changes were observed: proliferation in the interlamellar epithelium; partial and total fusion of the secondary lamellae, that appeared shortened and dilated; epithelial lifting and aneurism in the secondary lamellae. Moreover, in cocaine exposed eels, an increase in TIE and MC(IE-SL)FA and a decrease in LSL were observed. These changes were still present ten days after the interruption of cocaine exposure. Plasma levels of both cortisol and prolactin increased after cocaine exposure; ten days after the interruption of cocaine exposure, the plasma cortisol levels were still higher, whereas the plasma prolactin levels were lower, than control values. Our results show that even a chronic exposure to low environmental cocaine concentrations severely harms the eel gills, suggesting damages to their functions, and potentially affecting the survival of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Capaldo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Flaminia Gay
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Vincenza Laforgia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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14
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Capaldo A, Gay F, Lepretti M, Paolella G, Martucciello S, Lionetti L, Caputo I, Laforgia V. Effects of environmental cocaine concentrations on the skeletal muscle of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 640-641:862-873. [PMID: 29879672 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.357] [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: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The presence of illicit drugs in the aquatic environment represents a new potential risk for aquatic organisms, due to their constant exposure to substances with strong pharmacological activity. Currently, little is known about the ecological effects of illicit drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental concentrations of cocaine, an illicit drug widespread in surface waters, on the skeletal muscle of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The skeletal muscle of silver eels exposed to 20 ng L-1 of cocaine for 50 days were compared to control, vehicle control and two post-exposure recovery groups (3 and 10 days after interruption of cocaine). The eels general health, the morphology of the skeletal muscle and several parameters indicative of the skeletal muscle physiology were evaluated, namely the muscle whole protein profile, marker of the expression levels of the main muscle proteins; cytochrome oxidase activity, markers of oxidative metabolism; caspase-3, marker of apoptosis activation; serum levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase, markers of skeletal muscle damages. Cocaine-exposed eels appeared hyperactive but they showed the same general health status as the other groups. In contrast, their skeletal muscle showed evidence of serious injury, including muscle breakdown and swelling, similar to that typical of rhabdomyolysis. These changes were still present 10 days after the interruption of cocaine exposure. In fact, with the exception of the expression levels of the main muscle proteins, which remained unchanged, all the other parameters examined showed alterations that persisted for at least 10 days after the interruption of cocaine exposure. This study shows that even low environmental concentrations of cocaine cause severe damage to the morphology and physiology of the skeletal muscle of the silver eel, confirming the harmful impact of cocaine in the environment that potentially affects the survival of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Capaldo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Flaminia Gay
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano - Salerno, Italy.
| | - Marilena Lepretti
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano - Salerno, Italy.
| | - Gaetana Paolella
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano - Salerno, Italy.
| | - Stefania Martucciello
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano - Salerno, Italy.
| | - Lillà Lionetti
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano - Salerno, Italy; ELFID (European Laboratory for Food-Induced Diseases), University of Naples Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Ivana Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 - 84084 Fisciano - Salerno, Italy; ELFID (European Laboratory for Food-Induced Diseases), University of Naples Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Vincenza Laforgia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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Baalbaki Z, Torfs E, Yargeau V, Vanrolleghem PA. Predicting the fate of micropollutants during wastewater treatment: Calibration and sensitivity analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 601-602:874-885. [PMID: 28582733 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The presence of micropollutants in the environment and their toxic impacts on the aquatic environment have raised concern about their inefficient removal in wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the fate of micropollutants of four different classes was simulated in a conventional activated sludge plant using a bioreactor micropollutant fate model coupled to a settler model. The latter was based on the Bürger-Diehl model extended for the first time to include micropollutant fate processes. Calibration of model parameters was completed by matching modelling results with full-scale measurements (i.e. including aqueous and particulate phase concentrations of micropollutants) obtained from a 4-day sampling campaign. Modelling results showed that further biodegradation takes place in the sludge blanket of the settler for the highly biodegradable caffeine, underlining the need for a reactive settler model. The adopted Monte Carlo based calibration approach also provided an overview of the model's global sensitivity to the parameters. This analysis showed that for each micropollutant and according to the dominant fate process, a different set of one or more parameters had a significant impact on the model fit, justifying the selection of parameter subsets for model calibration. A dynamic local sensitivity analysis was also performed with the calibrated parameters. This analysis supported the conclusions from the global sensitivity and provided guidance for future sampling campaigns. This study expands the understanding of micropollutant fate models when applied to different micropollutants, in terms of global and local sensitivity to model parameters, as well as the identifiability of the parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeina Baalbaki
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St., Montreal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Elena Torfs
- modelEAU, Département de génie civil et de génie des eaux, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la médecine, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Viviane Yargeau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St., Montreal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Peter A Vanrolleghem
- modelEAU, Département de génie civil et de génie des eaux, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la médecine, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Baalbaki Z, Sultana T, Metcalfe C, Yargeau V. Estimating removals of contaminants of emerging concern from wastewater treatment plants: The critical role of wastewater hydrodynamics. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 178:439-448. [PMID: 28342992 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Accurate data is needed to evaluate the capacity of wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs) to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). The variability of CEC removals reported in the literature has raised questions about the methods used to estimate removals. In this study, we used the recently proposed "fractionated approach" to account for the influence of hydrodynamics in WWTPs and applied this method for estimating the removal of 23 target CECs. Data on the conductivity and temperature of wastewater at two WWTPs were used to determine the hydraulic model that best described the flow regime of treatment units. Composite samples (24-h) were collected at different stages of treatment over successive days. The concentrations of the target compounds in wastewater were determined by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Different hydraulic models were necessary to define the hydrodynamics at the two WWTPs, resulting in different load fractions to be used in the calculation of removals. For WWTP A, that has a primary clarifier, all target CECs, except triclosan, were poorly removed during this step at efficiencies <30%. On the other hand, the activated sludge treatment unit at both WWTPs removed most target CECs at >70%. This study expanded the application of the fractionated approach to compare the hydraulics of two treatment trains of different configurations, including primary and secondary treatment. It demonstrated the sensitivity of the method to account for variations between the different treatment units. Reliable removals of an extended list of CECs in primary and secondary treatment were also provided in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeina Baalbaki
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Tamanna Sultana
- Water Quality Centre, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- Water Quality Centre, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Viviane Yargeau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada.
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