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Popović AV, Čamagajevac IŠ, Vuković R, Matić M, Velki M, Gupta DK, Galić V, Lončarić Z. Biochemical and molecular responses of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in wheat seedlings exposed to different forms of selenium. Plant Physiol Biochem 2024; 208:108460. [PMID: 38447422 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Biofortification aims to increase selenium (Se) concentration and bioavailability in edible parts of crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), resulting in increased concentration of Se in plants and/or soil. Higher Se concentrations can disturb protein structure and consequently influence glutathione (GSH) metabolism in plants which can affect antioxidative and other detoxification pathways. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of five different concentrations of selenate and selenite (0.4, 4, 20, 40 and 400 mg kg-1) on the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in wheat shoots and roots and to determine biochemical and molecular tissue-specific responses. Content of investigated metabolites, activities of detoxification enzymes and expression of their genes depended both on the chemical form and concentration of the applied Se, as well as on the type of plant tissue. The most pronounced changes in the expression level of genes involved in GSH metabolism were visible in wheat shoots at the highest concentrations of both forms of Se. Obtained results can serve as a basis for further research on Se toxicity and detoxification mechanisms in wheat. New insights into the Se impact on GSH metabolism could contribute to the further development of biofortification strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vuković Popović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | - Rosemary Vuković
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Magdalena Matić
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dharmendra K Gupta
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 110003, New Delhi, India
| | - Vlatko Galić
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno predgrađe 17, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zdenko Lončarić
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
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2
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Bjedov D, Velki M, Toth L, Marijić VF, Mikuška T, Jurinović L, Ečimović S, Turić N, Lončarić Z, Šariri S, Al Marsoomi Y, Mikuška A. Heavy metal(loid) effect on multi-biomarker responses in apex predator: Novel assays in the monitoring of white stork nestlings. Environ Pollut 2023; 324:121398. [PMID: 36878276 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the present study was to investigate differences in biomarker responses related to metal(loid)s in white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestling's blood from continental Croatia. To achieve this, a battery of biomarkers that can be affected by environmental pollutants, including metal(loid)s, was assessed (esterase activity, fluorescence-based oxidative stress biomarkers, metallothionein levels, glutathione-dependent enzyme activity). The research was conducted during the white stork breeding season in diverse areas (a landfill, industrial and agricultural sites, and an unpolluted area). White storks' nestlings near the landfill exhibited reduced carboxylesterase (CES) activity, elevated glutathione (GSH) concentration, as well as high Pb content in the blood. Increased As and Hg concentrations in blood were attributable to environmental contamination in agricultural area and an assumed unpolluted area, respectively. Furthermore, agricultural practices appeared to affect CES activity, as well as elevate Se levels. In addition to the successful implementation of biomarkers, present research showed that agricultural areas and a landfill are areas with increased metal(loid) levels possibly causing adverse effects on the white storks. This first-time heavy metal and metalloid analyses in the white stork nestlings from Croatia point to the necessary monitoring and future assessments of pollution impact to prevent irreversible adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Bjedov
- Croatian Institute for Biodiversity, BIOTA Ltd., Maksimirska cesta 129/5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Leontina Toth
- Teaching Institute of Public Health Osijek-baranja County, Franje Krežme 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vlatka Filipović Marijić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tibor Mikuška
- Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, Ivana Gundulića 19/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Luka Jurinović
- Poultry Centre, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nataša Turić
- Teaching Institute of Public Health Osijek-baranja County, Franje Krežme 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zdenko Lončarić
- Department of Agroecology and Environment Protection, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Sara Šariri
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Yasir Al Marsoomi
- HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Geraard de Duivelstraat 5, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Alma Mikuška
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
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Bjedov D, Velki M, Lackmann C, Begović L, Mikuška T, Jurinović L, Mikuška A. Blood biomarkers in white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestlings show different responses in several areas of Croatia. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol 2022; 337:547-558. [PMID: 35201670 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
White stork nestlings can provide quantitative data on the quality of the environment, as they are dependent on their parents that provide locally foraged food. Blood was sampled from the brachial vein (n = 109) and the sampling was performed in parallel with ringing during breeding season 2020 from five areas in eastern Croatia: Lonjsko polje, Jelas polje, Slavonski Brod-east, Podunavlje, and Donje Podravlje. In the present study, for the first time in Croatia, the following enzymatic biomarkers were assessed in white stork nestlings: activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as nonenzymatic biomarkers: levels of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). All endpoints were measured in two blood fractions: plasma and a postmitochondrial fraction (S9). Nestlings from Podunavlje and Donje Podravlje, areas known for intensive agriculture, showed lower AChE and CES activity when compared to the other investigated areas, indicating the presence of inhibitory xenobiotics. Higher oxidative stress was observed in Slavonski Brod-east, an area surrounded by metal and engineering industry, and Podunavlje compared to the other sampling areas. Hence, this study shows the impact of pollutants from the surrounding metal, petroleum, and agricultural industry might have on the biomarkers in white stork nestlings, which are often seen as early-warning signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Bjedov
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Carina Lackmann
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lidija Begović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Tibor Mikuška
- Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Luka Jurinović
- Poultry Centre, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alma Mikuška
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
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Lackmann C, Velki M, Šimić A, Müller A, Braun U, Ečimović S, Hollert H. Two types of microplastics (polystyrene-HBCD and car tire abrasion) affect oxidative stress-related biomarkers in earthworm Eisenia andrei in a time-dependent manner. Environ Int 2022; 163:107190. [PMID: 35316749 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are small plastic fragments that are widely distributed in marine and terrestrial environments. While the soil ecosystem represents a large reservoir for plastic, research so far has focused mainly on the impact on aquatic ecosystems and there is a lack of information on the potentially adverse effects of microplastics on soil biota. Earthworms are key organisms of the soil ecosystem and are due to their crucial role in soil quality and fertility a suitable and popular model organism in soil ecotoxicology. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain insight into the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on the earthworm Eisenia andrei on multiple levels of biological organization after different exposure periods. Earthworms were exposed to two types of microplastics: (1) polystyrene-HBCD and (2) car tire abrasion in natural soil for 2, 7, 14 and 28d. Acute and chronic toxicity and all subcellular investigations were conducted for all exposure times, avoidance behavior assessed after 48 h and reproduction after 28d. Subcellular endpoints included enzymatic biomarker responses, namely, carboxylesterase, glutathione peroxidase, acetylcholinesterase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities, as well as fluorescence-based measurements of oxidative stress-related markers and multixenobiotic resistance activity. Multiple biomarkers showed significant changes in activity, but a recovery of most enzymatic activities could be observed after 28d. Overall, only minor effects could be observed on a subcellular level, showing that in this exposure scenario with environmentally relevant concentrations based on German pollution levels the threat to soil biota is minimal. However, in areas with higher concentrations of microplastics in the environment, these results can be interpreted as an early warning signal for more adverse effects. In conclusion, these findings provide new insights regarding the ecotoxicological effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on soil organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lackmann
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Antonio Šimić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Axel Müller
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Fachbereich 6.6: Physik und chemische Analytik der Polymere, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Braun
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Fachbereich 6.6: Physik und chemische Analytik der Polymere, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany; Umweltbundesamt (UBA), Fachgebiet III 2.5 - Überwachungsverfahren, Abwasserentsorgung, Schichauweg 58, 12307 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Schmitz M, Deutschmann B, Markert N, Backhaus T, Brack W, Brauns M, Brinkmann M, Seiler TB, Fink P, Tang S, Beitel S, Doering JA, Hecker M, Shao Y, Schulze T, Weitere M, Wild R, Velki M, Hollert H. Demonstration of an aggregated biomarker response approach to assess the impact of point and diffuse contaminant sources in feral fish in a small river case study. Sci Total Environ 2022; 804:150020. [PMID: 34508932 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of the exposure of aquatic wildlife to complex environmental mixtures of chemicals originating from both point and diffuse sources and evaluating the potential impact thereof constitutes a significant step towards mitigating toxic pressure and the improvement of ecological status. In the current proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate the potential of a novel Aggregated Biomarker Response (ABR) approach involving a comprehensive set of biomarkers to identify complex exposure and impacts on wild brown trout (Salmo trutta fario). Our scenario used a small lowland river in Germany (Holtemme river in the Elbe river catchment) impacted by two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and diffuse agricultural runoff as a case study. The trout were collected along a pollution gradient (characterised in a parallel study) in the river. Compared to fish from the reference site upstream of the first WWTP, the trout collected downstream of the WWTPs showed a significant increase in micronucleus formation, phase I and II enzyme activities, and oxidative stress parameters in agreement with increasing exposure to various chemicals. By integrating single biomarker responses into an aggregated biomarker response, the two WWTPs' contribution to the observed toxicity could be clearly differentiated. The ABR results were supported by chemical analyses and whole transcriptome data, which revealed alterations of steroid biosynthesis and associated pathways, including an anti-androgenic effect, as some of the key drivers of the observed toxicity. Overall, this combined approach of in situ biomarker responses complemented with molecular pathway analysis allowed for a comprehensive ecotoxicological assessment of fish along the river. This study provides evidence for specific hazard potentials caused by mixtures of agricultural and WWTP derived chemicals at sublethal concentrations. Using aggregated biomarker responses combined with chemical analyses enabled an evidence-based ranking of sites with different degrees of pollution according to toxic stress and observed effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schmitz
- Department for Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Björn Deutschmann
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nele Markert
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Werner Brack
- Department for Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Brauns
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department River Ecology, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany; Ruhr District Institute of Hygiene, Rotthauser Str. 21, 45879 Gelsenkirchen, Germany
| | - Patrick Fink
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department River Ecology, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany; Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Department Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis and Management, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 D Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Song Tang
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Shawn Beitel
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Jon A Doering
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ying Shao
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany; Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, 174 Shazheng Road Shapingba, 400045 Chongqing, PR China
| | - Tobias Schulze
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Weitere
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department River Ecology, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Romy Wild
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department River Ecology, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Mirna Velki
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52070 Aachen, Germany; Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Ul. Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department for Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Jelenić J, Ćosić J, Velki M, Ilić J. Endophytic Fusarium spp. affect yield, but can they be a solution for Botrytis control in vineyard production? FUNGAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2021.101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Bjedov D, Mikuška A, Lackmann C, Begović L, Mikuška T, Velki M. Application of Non-Destructive Methods: Biomarker Assays in Blood of White Stork ( Ciconia ciconia) Nestlings. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2341. [PMID: 34438798 PMCID: PMC8388685 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
White stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestlings can provide quantitative information on the quality of the surrounding environment by indicating the presence of pollutants, as they depend on locally foraged food. This study represents the first comparison of biomarkers in two fractions of white stork nestling blood: plasma and S9 (the post-mitochondrial fraction). The aim of this study was to evaluate acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as to establish a novel fluorescence-based method for glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection in plasma and S9. Considering the enzymatic biomarkers, lower variability in plasma was detected only for AChE, as CES, GST, and GR had lower variability in S9. Enzyme activity was higher in plasma for AChE, CES, and GST, while GR had higher activity in S9. Regarding the fluorescence-based method, lower variability was detected in plasma for GSH and ROS, although higher GSH detection was reported in S9, and higher ROS was detected in plasma. The present study indicated valuable differences by successfully establishing protocols for biomarker measurement in plasma and S9 based on variability, enzyme activity, and fluorescence. For a better understanding of the environmental effects on nestlings' physiological condition, biomarkers can be measured in plasma and S9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Bjedov
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (D.B.); (A.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Alma Mikuška
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (D.B.); (A.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Carina Lackmann
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt-Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Lidija Begović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (D.B.); (A.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Tibor Mikuška
- Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (D.B.); (A.M.); (L.B.)
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Brendt J, Crawford SE, Velki M, Xiao H, Thalmann B, Hollert H, Schiwy A. Is a liver comparable to a liver? A comparison of different rat-derived S9-fractions with a biotechnological animal-free alternative in the Ames fluctuation assay. Sci Total Environ 2021; 759:143522. [PMID: 33246726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Metabolism has to be considered during the toxicological assessment of chemical and environmental samples because it is an important process in the mammalian liver. It can be assessed in vitro via liver homogenates called S9-fractions, an external metabolic activation system. However, the external metabolic activation systems can vary greatly in their composition due to biological variations among individual animals and animal strains that the S9-fraction are derived as well as the differences in the production treatment. To gain more insight into these variances, three different but commonly used rat-derived S9-fractions were compared in the present study for their variance and performance with a reference compound in the Ames fluctuation assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 according to ISO 11350. Severe shortcomings of conventional rat-derived S9-fractions were observed in the present study, such that S9-fractions differed significantly within the same rat strain and for different types of induction procedures in regards to the metabolic capability. An intrinsic mutagenic potential of the three rat-derived S9-fractions were identified in the Ames fluctuation assay with varying S9-fraction concentrations. To address some of the shortcomings of the animal-derived S9-fraction, the present study investigated the use and performance of a biotechnological, animal-free alternative, ewoS9R, in comparison to one of the rat-derived S9-fraction as the others showed a mutagenic potential themselves. Specifically, 12 different chemicals were used as a reference to determine if ewoS9R could serve as an adequate and more consistent replacement of traditional rat-derived metabolic activation systems: 8 pro-mutagenic compounds (i.e., require metabolic activation to show a mutagenic potential), one pro-mutagenic compound but not in the tested strains, one mutagenic compound without metabolic activation and two compounds that are equivocal in the literature. EwoS9R was evaluated as a promising approach in the Ames fluctuation assay with 5 compounds observed to have similar results with both rat-derived S9-fraction and ewoS9R (41%), for 3 compounds ewoS9R was a better metabolization system than the rat-derived S9-fraction (16%). Further research is necessary to determine the full potential of ewoS9R in comparison to rat-derived S9-fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brendt
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah E Crawford
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Hongxia Xiao
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany
| | - Beat Thalmann
- EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Andreas Schiwy
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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9
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Brendt J, Lackmann C, Heger S, Velki M, Crawford SE, Xiao H, Thalmann B, Schiwy A, Hollert H. Using a high-throughput method in the micronucleus assay to compare animal-free with rat-derived S9. Sci Total Environ 2021; 751:142269. [PMID: 33182016 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a high-throughput (HTP) micronucleus assay in multi-well plates with an automated evaluation for risk assessment applications. The evaluation of genotoxicity via the micronucleus assays according to international guidelines ISO 21427-2 with Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) V79 cells was the starting point to develop our methodology. A drawback of this assay is that it is very time consuming and cost intensive. Our HTP micronucleus assay in a 48-well plate format allows for the simultaneous assessment of five different sample-concentrations with additional positive, negative and solvent controls with six technical replicates each within a quarter of the time required for the equivalent evaluation using the traditional slide method. In accordance with the 3R principle, animal compounds should be replaced with animal-free alternatives. However, traditional cell culture-based methods still require animal derived compounds like rat-liver derived S9-fraction, which is used to simulate the mammalian metabolism in in vitro assays that do show intrinsic metabolization capabilities. In the present study, a recently developed animal-free biotechnological alternative (ewoS9R) was investigated in the new high-throughput micronucleus assay. In total, 12 different mutagenic or genotoxic chemicals were investigated to assess the potential use of the animal-free metabolization system (ewoS9R) in comparison to a common rat-derived product. Out of the 12 compounds, one compound did not induce micronuclei in any treatment and 2 substances showed a genotoxic potential without the need for a metabolization system. EwoS9R demonstrated promising potential for future applications as it shows comparable results to the rat-derived S9 for 6 of the 9 pro-genotoxic substances tested. The remaining 3 substances (2-Acetamidofluorene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Cyclophosphamide) were only metabolized by rat-derived S9. A potential explanation is that ewoS9R was investigated with an approx. 10-fold lower enzyme concentration and was only optimized for CYP1A metabolization that may be improved with a modified production procedure. Future applications of ewoS9R go beyond the micronucleus assay, but further research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brendt
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Carina Lackmann
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Heger
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Sarah E Crawford
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hongxia Xiao
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Beat Thalmann
- EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany
| | - Andreas Schiwy
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; EWOMIS GmbH, Schießstrasse 26c, 63486 Bruchköbel, Germany.
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10
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Ečimović S, Grgić M, Bošnjaković R, Velki M. Biomarker responses in earthworm coelomocyte extract - Noninvasively collected sample for pesticide effect assessment. Chemosphere 2019; 234:837-844. [PMID: 31247494 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Earthworms are often used as model organisms in ecotoxicological research because of their natural habitat where they can be exposed to many different pollutants, including pesticides. Since a number of them has to be sacrificed for sample collection, it would be useful to develop non-invasive methods and techniques suitable for the analysis of target parameters. The aim of this study is to determine whether the coelomocyte extract, obtained by the non-invasive method, can be used to measure responses of biochemical biomarkers and to establish if it can be used in assessing the effects of pesticides already known to have a negative impact on the earthworms. In the present study Eisenia andrei earthworms were exposed for 48 h to organophosphates dimethoate and pirimiphos-methyl using the filter paper contact test. Following exposure, coelomocyte extracts were prepared and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CES) activities were measured. The percentage of inhibition of the measured enzymes in the coelomocyte extract was compared with the inhibition of the same enzyme activities in the samples obtained from the whole body homogenate. AChE and CES inhibition was observed at all concentrations for both pesticides in different types of samples. Compared to the coelomocyte extract, the level of AChE inhibition was slightly stronger in the whole body homogenate. Inhibition of CES at the same concentrations in different types of samples did not always coincide, especially in the case of dimethoate, however significant inhibition of CES in coelomocyte extract was recorded. This study indicates the possibility of using the coelomocyte extract for measurement of biochemical biomarkers and assessment of pesticide effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Magdalena Grgić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Rebeka Bošnjaković
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
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11
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Moosová Z, Šindlerová L, Ambrůzová B, Ambrožová G, Vašíček O, Velki M, Babica P, Kubala L. Lipopolysaccharides from Microcystis Cyanobacteria-Dominated Water Bloom and from Laboratory Cultures Trigger Human Immune Innate Response. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11040218. [PMID: 30978967 PMCID: PMC6520794 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11040218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Massive toxic blooms of cyanobacteria represent a major threat to water supplies worldwide. Here, the biological activities of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Microcystis aeruginosa, the most prominent cyanobacteria in water bloom, were studied. LPS was isolated from complex environmental water bloom samples dominated by M. aeruginosa, and from laboratory cultures of non-axenic as well as axenic M. aeruginosa strains PCC7806 and HAMBI/UHCC130. Employing human blood-based in vitro tests, the LPS isolated from complex water bloom revealed the priming of both major blood phagocyte population monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes documented by the increased surface expression of CD11b and CD66b. This was accompanied by a water bloom LPS-mediated dose-dependent induction of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 production. In accordance with its priming effects, water bloom LPS induced significant activation of p38 and ERK1/2 kinases, as well as NF-κB phosphorylation, in isolated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Interestingly, the pro-inflammatory potential of LPS from the axenic strain of M. aeruginosa was not lower compared to that of LPS isolated from non-axenic strains. In contrast to the biological activity, water bloom LPS revealed almost twice higher pyrogenicity levels compared to Escherichia coli LPS, as analyzed by the PyroGene test. Moreover, LPS from the non-axenic culture exhibited higher endotoxin activity in comparison to LPS from axenic strains. Taking the above findings together, M. aeruginosa LPS can contribute to the health risks associated with contamination by complex water bloom mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdena Moosová
- Department of Biophysics of Immune System, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Lenka Šindlerová
- Department of Biophysics of Immune System, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Ambrůzová
- Department of Biophysics of Immune System, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Gabriela Ambrožová
- Department of Biophysics of Immune System, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondřej Vašíček
- Department of Biophysics of Immune System, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Pavel Babica
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukáš Kubala
- Department of Biophysics of Immune System, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 61265 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
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12
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Brinkmann M, Barz B, Carrière D, Velki M, Smith K, Meyer-Alert H, Müller Y, Thalmann B, Bluhm K, Schiwy S, Hotz S, Salowsky H, Tiehm A, Hecker M, Hollert H. Bioactivation of Quinolines in a Recombinant Estrogen Receptor Transactivation Assay Is Catalyzed by N-Methyltransferases. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:698-707. [PMID: 30896932 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxylation of polyaromatic compounds through cytochromes P450 (CYPs) is known to result in potentially estrogenic transformation products. Recently, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of alternative pathways such as aldehyde oxidases (AOX) or N-methyltransferases (NMT) in bioactivation of small molecules, particularly N-heterocycles. Therefore, this study investigated the biotransformation and activity of methylated quinolines, a class of environmentally relevant N-heterocycles that are no native ligands of the estrogen receptor (ER), in the estrogen-responsive cell line ERα CALUX. We found that this widely used cell line overexpresses AOXs and NMTs while having low expression of CYP enzymes. Exposure of ERα CALUX cells to quinolines resulted in estrogenic effects, which could be mitigated using an inhibitor of AOX/NMTs. No such mitigation occurred after coexposure to a CYP1A inhibitor. A number of N-methylated but no hydroxylated transformation products were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which indicated that biotransformations to estrogenic metabolites were likely catalyzed by NMTs. Compared to the natural ER ligand 17β-estradiol, the products formed during the metabolization of quinolines were weak to moderate agonists of the human ERα. Our findings have potential implications for the risk assessment of these compounds and indicate that care must be taken when using in vitro estrogenicity assays, for example, ERα CALUX, for the characterization of N-heterocycles or environmental samples that may contain them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Brinkmann
- School of Environment & Sustainability and Toxicology Centre , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Canada
| | - Bogdan Barz
- ICS-6: Structural Biochemistry , Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , Jülich , Germany
| | - Danielle Carrière
- School of Environment & Sustainability and Toxicology Centre , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kerstin Bluhm
- School of Environment & Sustainability and Toxicology Centre , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Canada
| | | | | | - Helena Salowsky
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology , Water Technology Center , Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - Andreas Tiehm
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology , Water Technology Center , Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - Markus Hecker
- School of Environment & Sustainability and Toxicology Centre , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Canada
| | - Henner Hollert
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment , Nanjing University , Nanjing , China.,College of Resources and Environmental Science , Chongqing University , Chongqing , China.,Key Laboratory of Yangtze Water Environment, Ministry of Education , Tongji University , Shanghai , China
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13
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Velki M, Weltmeyer A, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Acute toxicities and effects on multixenobiotic resistance activity of eight pesticides to the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:4821-4832. [PMID: 30569353 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3959-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Investigations of deleterious effects on non-target species, including earthworms, have been conducted for a number of pesticides, but there is a need for additional assessments of potential adverse effects. In the present study, the acute toxicity of eight pesticides to the earthworm Eisenia andrei was assessed and compared. The exposures were conducted using the filter paper contact toxicity method. Based on the 48-h LC50 values, one pesticide was classified as supertoxic (combined fungicide containing difenoconazole and fludioxonil), four as extremely toxic (combined herbicide containing pethoxamide and terbuthylazine, combined fungicide containing fluopyram and tebuconazole, fungicide containing pyrimethanil, and combined fungicide containing thiram and carboxin), two as very toxic (combined fungicide containing flutriafol and thiabendazole, and herbicide containing fluroxypyr-meptyl), and one as moderately toxic (insecticide containing thiamethoxam). Additionally, effects of pesticides on the multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) activity were measured. Results showed that four pesticides caused significant effects with a recorded inhibition of the activity, which can consequently lead to a higher toxicity due to longer retention of the pesticides in the cells. Finally, for three chosen pesticides, gene expression of cat, sod, and gst was measured, and significant changes were observed. The obtained results show that earthworms could be significantly affected by pesticides commonly used in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Antonia Weltmeyer
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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14
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Ečimović S, Velki M, Vuković R, Štolfa Čamagajevac I, Petek A, Bošnjaković R, Grgić M, Engelmann P, Bodó K, Filipović-Marijić V, Ivanković D, Erk M, Mijošek T, Lončarić Z. Acute toxicity of selenate and selenite and their impacts on oxidative status, efflux pump activity, cellular and genetic parameters in earthworm Eisenia andrei. Chemosphere 2018; 212:307-318. [PMID: 30145422 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.08.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans, animals, and certain lower plants, but can be toxic at high concentration. Even though Se is potentially toxic, little information is available about the effects of Se on soil animals. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of different concentrations of two Se forms, selenate and selenite, on earthworm Eisenia andrei. In order to obtain comprehensive overview on the Se effects, different parameters were measured. Namely, acute toxicity, apoptosis, efflux pump activity, different enzymatic and non-enzymatic biomarkers (acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase activities, lipid peroxidation level and GSH/GSSG ratio) and expression of genes involved in oxidative and immune response have been investigated. Additionally, measurement of metallothioneins concentration and concentration of Se in exposed earthworms has been also performed. The assessment of acute toxicity showed a greater sensitivity of E. andrei to selenite exposure, whereas Se concentration measurements in earthworms showed higher accumulation of selenate form. Both Se forms caused inhibition of the efflux pump activity. Decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione reductase activity indicate that Se has a significant impact on the oxidative status of earthworms. Selenate exposure caused an apoptotic-like cell death in the coelomocytes of exposed earthworms, whereas decreased mRNA levels of stress-related genes and antimicrobial factors were observed upon the exposure to selenite. The obtained data give insight into the effects of two most common forms of Se in soil on the earthworm E. andrei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Rosemary Vuković
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Ivna Štolfa Čamagajevac
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Anja Petek
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Rebeka Bošnjaković
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Magdalena Grgić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Péter Engelmann
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti u. 12, Pécs H-7643, Hungary.
| | - Kornélia Bodó
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti u. 12, Pécs H-7643, Hungary.
| | - Vlatka Filipović-Marijić
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Dušica Ivanković
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marijana Erk
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tatjana Mijošek
- Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zdenko Lončarić
- Faculty of Agriculture, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Kralja Petra Svačića 1d, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
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15
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Lackmann C, Velki M, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Herbicides diuron and fluazifop-p-butyl affect avoidance response and multixenobiotic resistance activity in earthworm Eisenia andrei. Chemosphere 2018; 210:110-119. [PMID: 29986216 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The usage of pesticides has been steadily increasing over the last decades, and among them herbicides are the most commonly used ones. Despite their main mode of action targeting plant organisms, they can also have adverse effects on non-target animal organisms. In soil ecosystems, earthworms play an important role due to their positive impacts on the soil functioning and they represent good model organisms in soil ecotoxicology. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of two herbicides on several endpoints at different levels of biological organization in the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Diuron and fluazifop-p-butyl were selected for the investigation and their lethal concentrations were determined: LC50 48 h: 89.087 μg/cm2 for diuron and 6.167 μg/cm2 for fluazifop-p-butyl. Furthermore, measurements of enzymatic biomarkers (catalase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)), multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) activity and gene expression of antioxidative enzymes (only for fluazifop-p-butyl) were conducted. Enzymatic biomarker responses showed no significant differences compared to the control after the exposure to the investigated herbicides, whereas the MXR activity was significantly inhibited. The gene expression level of superoxide dismutase (sod) and glutathione S-transferase (gst) after fluazifop-p-butyl exposure showed a significant increase. Finally, avoidance behavior in soil was assessed and it was determined that both herbicides caused significant avoidance response. The obtained results show that both investigated herbicides significantly affect earthworms on different levels of biological organization. This emphasizes the importance of comprehensive ecotoxicological assessment of herbicide effects on non-target organisms at all organizational levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lackmann
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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16
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Lackmann C, Santos MM, Rainieri S, Barranco A, Hollert H, Spirhanzlova P, Velki M, Seiler TB. Novel procedures for whole organism detection and quantification of fluorescence as a measurement for oxidative stress in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. Chemosphere 2018; 197:200-209. [PMID: 29366951 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The modes of action of pollutants are diverse, and a common consequences to pollutant exposure is oxidative stress. This phenomenon is caused by an imbalance or disurption in the control of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) resulting in an accumulation of free radicals. Oxidative stress may cause damages to the DNA, phospholipids and proteins, and lead to cell death. Due to the possible contribution of oxidative stress to pollutant toxicity, it is valuable to assess its occurrence, role and mechanism. Detection of oxidative stress at low concentrations soon after the onset of exposure can be a sensitive, general marker for contamination. This study aimed at developing and benchmarking a set of novel fluorescence-based procedures to assess the occurrence of oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae (96 hpf) by measuring the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and general ROS. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). ROS and GSH were made visible by means of specific fluorescent molecular probes in different experimental scenarios. The induction was qualified using microscopy and quantified through photometric measurement. For quantitative assessment, an approach based on homogenized larvae and a non-invasive plate assay were developed. The novel procedures proved suitable for oxidative stress detection. Comparisons of qualitative to quantitative data showed that the orientation of the larvae in the well can influence fluorescence data evaluation. The non-invasive quantitative assay proved robust against any influence of the orientation of the larvae. The developed protocols promise to be useful tools for the detection of oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lackmann
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Monica Martinez Santos
- AZTI, Food Research Division, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo bidea 609, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Sandra Rainieri
- AZTI, Food Research Division, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo bidea 609, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Alejandro Barranco
- AZTI, Food Research Division, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo bidea 609, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Henner Hollert
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Mirna Velki
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, Department of Biology, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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17
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Velki M, Meyer-Alert H, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Enzymatic activity and gene expression changes in zebrafish embryos and larvae exposed to pesticides diazinon and diuron. Aquat Toxicol 2017; 193:187-200. [PMID: 29096092 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish as a test organism enables the investigation of effects on a wide range of biological levels from molecular level to the whole-organism level. The use of fish embryos represents an attractive model for studies aimed at understanding toxic mechanisms and the environmental risk assessment of chemicals. In the present study, a zebrafish (Danio rerio) in vivo model was employed in order to assess the effects of two commonly used pesticides, the insecticide diazinon and the herbicide diuron, on zebrafish early life stages. Since it was previously established that diazinon and diuron cause effects at the whole-organism level, this study assessed the suborganismic responses to exposure to these pesticides and the enzymatic responses (biochemical level) and the gene expression changes (molecular level) were analyzed. Different exposure scenarios were employed and the following endpoints measured: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities; and gene expressions of the corresponding genes: acetylcholinesterase (ache), carboxylesterase (ces2), cytochrome P450 (cyp1a), glutathione-S-transferase (gstp1), catalase (cat), glutathione peroxidase (gpx1a) and additionally glutathione reductase (gsr). Significant changes at both the biochemical and the molecular level were detected. In addition, different sensitivities of different developmental stages of zebrafish were determined and partial recovery of the enzyme activity 48h after the end of the exposure was observed. The observed disparity between gene expression changes and alterations in enzyme activities points to the necessity of monitoring changes at different levels of biological organization. Different exposure scenarios, together with a comparison of the responses at the biochemical and molecular level, provide valuable data on the effects of diazinon and diuron on low organizational levels in zebrafish embryos and larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Henriette Meyer-Alert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Velki M, Di Paolo C, Nelles J, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Diuron and diazinon alter the behavior of zebrafish embryos and larvae in the absence of acute toxicity. Chemosphere 2017; 180:65-76. [PMID: 28391154 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The use of zebrafish for aquatic vertebrate (eco)toxicity testing allows the assessment of effects on a wide range of biological levels - from enzymes to sensory organs and behavioral endpoints. The present study investigated the effects of the insecticide diazinon and the herbicide diuron regarding the acute toxicity and behavior of zebrafish embryos and larvae. After conducting the fish embryo toxicity test, three concentrations (1, 2 and 3.5 mg L-1 for diazinon and 1, 2 and 3.8 mg L-1 for diuron) were evaluated for effects on embryonic spontaneous movement and heartbeat, larval light-dark transition response, and thigmotaxis. Although the modes-of-action are different, both pesticides proved to be moderately toxic to early life stages of zebrafish with 96 h LC50 of approximately 6.5 mg L-1 and similar EC50 values of approximately 4 mg L-1. Changes in behavioral endpoints were detected 24 h of exposure, suggesting that behavioral measurements can serve as sensitive and early indicators of pesticide exposure. Changes in behavior, such as decrease in spontaneous coiling movements of embryos and reduction of thigmotaxis in larvae, were pronounced for diuron, indicating the usefulness of the application of behavioral endpoints to assess the effects of other herbicides. In the case of diazinon, the effects were less prominent, but the detected changes in ratios between activity in light and darkness also point to the possibility of using behavioral changes for evaluation of insecticide effects. The obtained results support the usage of behavioral endpoints in zebrafish embryos and larvae for the detection of early effects of pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Carolina Di Paolo
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonas Nelles
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing University, 1 Tiansheng Road Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
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Chen Q, Gundlach M, Yang S, Jiang J, Velki M, Yin D, Hollert H. Quantitative investigation of the mechanisms of microplastics and nanoplastics toward zebrafish larvae locomotor activity. Sci Total Environ 2017; 584-585:1022-1031. [PMID: 28185727 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 383] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the direct and indirect toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics toward zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae locomotor activity. Results showed that microplastics alone exhibited no significant effects except for the upregulated zfrho visual gene expression; whereas nanoplastics inhibited the larval locomotion by 22% during the last darkness period, and significantly reduced larvae body length by 6%, inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity by 40%, and upregulated gfap, α1-tubulin, zfrho and zfblue gene expression significantly. When co-exposed with 2μg/L 17 α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), microplastics led to alleviation on EE2's inhibition effect on locomotion, which was probably due to the decreased freely dissolved EE2 concentration. However, though nanoplastics showed stronger adsorption ability for EE2, the hypoactivity phenomenon still existed in the nanoplastics co-exposure group. Moreover, when co-exposed with a higher concentration of EE2 (20μg/L), both plastics showed an enhanced effect on the hypoactivity. Principal component analysis was performed to reduce data dimensions and four principal components were reconstituted in terms of oxidative stress, body length, nervous and visual system related genes explaining 84% of total variance. Furthermore, oxidative damage and body length reduction were evaluated to be main reasons for the hypoactivity. Therefore, nanoplastics alone suppressed zebrafish larvae locomotor activity and both plastic particles can change the larvae swimming behavior when co-exposed with EE2. This study provides new insights into plastic particles' effects on zebrafish larvae, improving the understanding of their environmental risks to the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 1 Worringerweg, 52074 Aachen, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Michael Gundlach
- Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 1 Worringerweg, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Shouye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Jing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Mirna Velki
- Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 1 Worringerweg, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Daqiang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Henner Hollert
- State Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Ecosystem Analysis, ABBt - Aachen Biology and Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, 1 Worringerweg, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Abstract
The importance and beneficial effects of earthworms on soil structure and quality is well-established. In addition, earthworms have proved to be important model organisms for investigation of pollutant effects on soil ecosystems. In ecotoxicological investigations effects of various pollutants on earthworms were assessed. But some important issues regarding the effects of pollutants on earthworms still need to be comprehensively addressed. In this review several issues relevant to soil ecotoxicological investigations using earthworms are emphasized and guidelines that should be adopted in ecotoxicological investigations using earthworms are given. The inclusion of these guidelines in ecotoxicological studies will contribute to the better quantification of impacts of pollutants and will allow more accurate prediction of the real field effects of pollutants to earthworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, Osijek, 31000, Croatia.
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, Osijek, 31000, Croatia
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Filipović Marijić V, Dragun Z, Sertić Perić M, Matoničkin Kepčija R, Gulin V, Velki M, Ečimović S, Hackenberger BK, Erk M. Investigation of the soluble metals in tissue as biological response pattern to environmental pollutants (Gammarus fossarum example). Chemosphere 2016; 154:300-309. [PMID: 27060638 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, Gammarus fossarum was used to investigate the bioaccumulation and toxic effects of aquatic pollutants in the real environmental conditions. The novelty of the study is the evaluation of soluble tissue metal concentrations in gammarids as indicators in early assessment of metal exposure. In the Sutla River, industrially/rurally/agriculturally influenced catchment in North-Western Croatia, physico-chemical water properties pointed to disturbed ecological status, which was reflected on population scale as more than 50 times lower gammarid density compared to the reference location, Črnomerec Stream. Significantly higher levels of soluble toxic metals (Al, As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr) were observed in gammarids from the Sutla River compared to the reference site and reflected the data on higher total dissolved metal levels in the river water at that site. The soluble metal estimates were supplemented with the common multibiomarker approach, which showed significant biological responses for decreased acetylcholinesterase activity and increased total soluble protein concentrations, confirming stressed environmental conditions for biota in the Sutla River. Biomarker of metal exposure, metallothionein, was not induced and therefore, toxic effect of metals was not confirmed on molecular level. Comparable between-site pattern of soluble toxic metals in gammarids and total dissolved metal levels in water suggests that prior to biomarker response and observed toxic impact, soluble metals in tissue might be used as early warning signs of metal impact in the aquatic environment and improve the assessment of water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlatka Filipović Marijić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, "Ruđer Bošković" Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zrinka Dragun
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, "Ruđer Bošković" Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mirela Sertić Perić
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Roosevelt trg 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Renata Matoničkin Kepčija
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Roosevelt trg 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Vesna Gulin
- PrimeVigilance Zagreb d.o.o., Oreškovićeva 20A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana Street 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana Street 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Branimir K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana Street 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Marijana Erk
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, "Ruđer Bošković" Institute, P.O. Box 180, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Velki M, Ečimović S. Changes in exposure temperature lead to changes in pesticide toxicity to earthworms: A preliminary study. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2015; 40:774-784. [PMID: 26436694 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The occurring climate changes will have direct consequences to all ecosystems, including the soil ecosystems. The effects of climate change include, among other, the changes in temperature and greater frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions. Temperature is an important factor in ecotoxicological investigations since it can act as a stressor and influence the physiological status of organisms, as well as affect the fate and transport of pollutants present in the environment. However, most of so far conducted (eco)toxicological investigations neglected the possible effects of temperature and focused solely on the effects of toxicants on organisms. Considering that temperature can contribute to the toxicity of pollutants, it is of immense importance to investigate whether the change in the exposure temperature will impact the strength of the toxic effects of pollutants present in soil ecosystems. Therefore, in the present study the toxicity of several commonly used pesticides to earthworms was assessed under different exposure temperatures (15, 20 and 25°C). The results showed that changes in exposure temperature lead to changes in susceptibility of earthworms to particular pesticides. Namely, exposures to the same pesticide concentration at different temperatures lead to different toxicity responses. Increase in exposure temperature in most cases caused increase in toxicity, whereas decrease in temperature mostly caused decrease in toxicity. This preliminary study points to need for an in-depth investigation of mechanisms by which temperature affects the toxicity of pesticides and also provides important data for future research on the effects of temperature change on the soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
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Hackenberger BK, Velki M, Lončarić Z, Hackenberger DK, Ečimović S. Effect of different river flow rates on biomarker responses in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2015; 112:153-160. [PMID: 25463866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated effects of different river flow rates on basal activities of selected biomarkers and the occurrence of oxidative stress in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Juvenile carp were exposed to different river flow rates (5-120 cm/s) by caging for 3 weeks. After this period, one half of the fish were sacrificed and used for analysis. The other half received a single intraperitoneal injection of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and after 6 days were sacrificed and used for analysis. In order to investigate whether the physical activity of carp in the environment will influence the condition status of carp, following biomarkers were measured - activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and concentration of protein carbonyls (PC). The results showed that different flow rates significantly influenced biochemical biomarkers. The basal activity of GST did not change significantly after exposure to different river flow rates, whereas the activity of CAT increased with increasing river flow rates. The application of 3-MC caused significant increases in GST and CAT activities, but there were no difference between 3-MC control and 3-MC different flow rates. The occurrence of oxidative stress as a result of exposure to increased physical activity, i.e. increased river flow rates, was confirmed by measurement of PC levels - the level of PC increased with increasing river flow rates. Measurement of EROD basal activity showed that at lower river flow rates the EROD activity increased and at higher river flow rates decreased towards control levels demonstrating a close relationship between oxidative stress, PC levels and EROD activity. Obviously, biomarker responses in carp of different condition status can differ substantially. It can be concluded that flow rate may be an important factor in biomonitoring of rivers using biomarkers and since at different locations river water flow rate can vary significantly, the site selection is extremely important for proper design of river biomonitoring studies involving caging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branimir K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Zeljka Lončarić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Davorka K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
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Velki M, Hackenberger BK, Lončarić Z, Hackenberger DK. Application of microcosmic system for assessment of insecticide effects on biomarker responses in ecologically different earthworm species. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2014; 104:110-119. [PMID: 24650551 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Earthworms from different ecological categories--epigeic Eisenia andrei and Lumbricus rubellus, endogeic Octolasion lacteum and anecic Lumbricus terrestris--were exposed in a microcosmic system to three commonly used insecticides. The effects of the insecticides were evaluated by measuring the following molecular biomarkers-the activities of AChE, CES, CAT, GST and the concentration of GSH. The results showed that environmentally relevant doses of organophosphates dimethoate and pirimiphos-methyl significantly affected the measured biomarkers, whereas pyrethroid deltamethrin did not affect the earthworms at the recommended agricultural dose. Considering the ecological category of earthworms, the results were inhomogeneous and species-specific differences in the biomarker responses were recorded. Since the biomarker responses of the investigated earthworm species were different after exposure to organophosphates in a microcosm compared to the exposure via standardized toxicity tests, two types of species sensitivity should be distinguished-physiological and environmental sensitivity. In addition, the hormetic effect of organophosphates on AChE and CES activities was recorded. The detection of hormesis in a microcosm is of great importance for future environmental research and soil biomonitoring, since in a realistic environment pollutants usually occur at low concentrations that could cause a hormetic effect. The results demonstrate the importance of the application of microcosmic systems in the assessment of the effects of environmental pollutants and the necessity of taking into account the possible differences between physiological and environmental species sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Branimir K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Zeljka Lončarić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Davorka K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
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Velki M, Hackenberger BK. Different sensitivities of biomarker responses in two epigeic earthworm species after exposure to pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2013; 65:498-509. [PMID: 23811990 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-013-9930-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In many studies that investigate the toxic effects of pollutants on earthworms, experiments are performed using only one species of earthworms, most commonly the Eisenia species. However, the differences in sensitivities of different earthworm species could potentially lead to an underestimation of environmental aspects of pollutants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of biomarker responses of Eisenia andrei, an epigeic compost species commonly used in laboratory experiments, with those of Lumbricus rubellus, an epigeic species widely distributed in temperate regions. The earthworms were exposed to the three commonly used insecticides: organophosphates dimethoate (0.03, 0.3, and 3 mg kg(-1)) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg kg(-1)), as well as pyrethroid deltamethrin (0.01, 0.1, and 0.5 mg kg(-1)), for 1 and 15 days using an artificial soil test. The effects of the pesticides were assessed by measuring the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) as well as the concentration of glutathione (GSH). The pesticides caused a significant inhibition of AChE and CES activities and significant changes in activities of CAT, GST, and GSH concentration in both earthworm species. A comparison of biomarker responses between E. andrei and L. rubellus showed significant differences; E. andrei proved to be less susceptible to pesticide exposure than L. rubellus. In addition, the results from the filter-paper contact test mortality experiments showed that lethal concentrations were lower for L. rubellus compared with the E. andrei, further showing a greater sensitivity of L. rubellus. The difference in sensitivities of these epigeic species should be taken into account when conducting toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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Stepić S, Hackenberger BK, Velki M, Lončarić Ž, Hackenberger DK. Effects of individual and binary-combined commercial insecticides endosulfan, temephos, malathion and pirimiphos-methyl on biomarker responses in earthworm Eisenia andrei. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2013; 36:715-723. [PMID: 23896224 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory tests were conducted in order to investigate the effects of individual and binary-combined commercial insecticides endosulfan, temephos, malathion and pirimiphos-methyl on the earthworm Eisenia andrei. The effects of individual insecticides were determined by measuring the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). After exposure to studied insecticides, dose-dependent decrease in AChE activity and dose-dependent increase in CAT activity was recorded. The activity of GST was without consistent dose-response reaction, but generally the investigated insecticides caused the increase in GST activity. In order to determine the effects of binary-combined mixtures, and interactions between the components in the mixture, the relationship between effective concentration of AChE inhibition for mixture and effective concentration of AChE inhibition for each component in the mixture was investigated. The obtained results showed additive effect for mixtures endosulfan+malathion; endosulfan+pirimiphos-methyl; temephos+malathion and temephos+pirimiphos-methyl, synergistic effect for mixture endosulfan+temephos and in the case of mixture malathion+pirimiphos-methyl the antagonistic effect was indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Stepić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Branimir K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Željka Lončarić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Davorka K Hackenberger
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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Stepić S, Hackenberger BK, Velki M, Hackenberger DK, Lončarić Z. Potentiation effect of metolachlor on toxicity of organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides in earthworm Eisenia andrei. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2013; 91:55-61. [PMID: 23666323 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-013-1000-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities were determined in earthworms Eisenia andrei exposed to insecticides (endosulfan, temephos, malathion, pirimiphos-methyl) alone and in a binary combination with the herbicide metolachlor. Metolachlor individually was not acutely toxic, even at high concentrations applied; however, in the treated earthworms metolachlor enhanced the toxicity of endosulfan and temephos by significantly reducing the acetylcholinesterase activity. In binary combination with malathion and pirimiphos-methyl, metolachlor did not increase toxicity. The potentiation character of metolachlor is specific rather than general, and probably depends on the chemical structure of pesticides in the mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Stepić
- Subdepartment of Quantitative Ecology, Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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Velki M, Stepić S, Hackenberger BK. Effects of formalin on some biomarker activities of earthworms pre-exposed to temephos. Chemosphere 2013; 90:2690-2696. [PMID: 23298666 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/24/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite its negative effects, formalin has been often used for the expulsion of earthworms due to its high efficiency; however it is not known whether it will affect any significant measurable molecular processes in sampled earthworms. The aim of this research was to investigate effects of formalin on the activities of chosen molecular biomarkers in Eisenia andrei earthworms previously exposed to temephos. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of temephos, hitherto evaluated only on laboratory-bred earthworm species, was confirmed on two earthworm species obtained from their natural environment -Dendrobaena octaedra and Lumbricus rubellus. Earthworms were first exposed to the sub-lethal concentration of temephos for 2h and then to formalin 15 min in order to simulate the sampling procedure. Besides acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition - a known biomarker of exposure to organophosphate insecticides - the concentration of oximes and the activities of catalase (CAT) and efflux pump were measured. Results showed that in all species temephos caused inhibition of AChE and CAT activity. Exposure of E. andrei to formalin caused inhibition of AChE, however after post-exposure to formalin for 15 min significant increase in AChE activity was recorded. Similar results were obtained with the measurement of oximes concentrations. Exposure to only formalin and combination of temephos (2h) and formalin (15 min) led to an increase in the CAT activity. The obtained results showed that exposure to formalin during the sampling could affect measured molecular biomarkers and also may change effects caused by exposure to temephos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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Velki M, Hackenberger BK. Biomarker responses in earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to pirimiphos-methyl and deltamethrin using different toxicity tests. Chemosphere 2013; 90:1216-1226. [PMID: 23063481 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The effects of two widely used insecticides - organophosphate pirimiphos-methyl and pyrethroid deltamethrin - were investigated under laboratory conditions following OECD guidelines using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia andrei as the test organism. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these pesticides on molecular biomarkers of earthworm E. andrei using the in vitro, filter paper contact and artificial soil test. In this study for the first time the equivalent concentrations of investigated pesticide applied in different tests were calculated. Although the response of measured molecular biomarkers in different toxicity tests had certain similarities, some distinct differences were also evident. Both pesticides inhibited AChE and CES activities in all three applied toxicity tests; however only in the filter paper test the hormetic effect was recorded. The artificial soil test showed that duration of the exposure significantly changed the effects of the investigated pesticides on CAT and GST activities. Namely, after the initial increase, the prolongation of exposure caused the reduction of the CAT and GST activities. Both pesticides significantly inhibited the efflux pump activity. In the artificial soil test, the significant changes in measured biomarkers after application of doses lower than doses recommended for use in the agriculture indicate that the investigated pesticides could have a harmful effect on earthworms in the context of the realistic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
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Velki M, Hackenberger BK. Species-specific differences in biomarker responses in two ecologically different earthworms exposed to the insecticide dimethoate. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2012; 156:104-12. [PMID: 22609974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2012.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Earthworms ingest large amounts of soil and therefore are continuously exposed to contaminants through their alimentary surfaces. Additionally, several studies have shown that earthworm skin is a significant route of contaminant uptake as well. In order to determine effects of dimethoate, a broad-spectrum organophosphorous insecticide, two ecologically different earthworm species were used - Eisenia andrei and Octolasion lacteum. Although several studies used soil organisms to investigate the effects of dimethoate, none of these studies included investigations of dimethoate effects on biochemical biomarkers in earthworms. Earthworms were exposed to 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.5 and 1 μg/cm(2) of dimethoate for 24 h, and the activities of acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, catalase and efflux pump were measured. In both earthworm species dimethoate caused significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities, however in E. andrei an hormetic effect was evident. Efflux pump activity was inhibited only in E. andrei, and catalase activity was significantly inhibited in both earthworm species. Additionally, responses of earthworm acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase and catalase activity to dimethoate were examined through in vitro experiments. Comparison of responses between E. andrei and O. lacteum has shown significant differences, and E. andrei has proved to be less susceptible to dimethoate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia.
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Hackenberger BK, Velki M, Stepić S, Hackenberger DK. First evidence for the presence of efflux pump in the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2012; 75:40-45. [PMID: 22033226 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Revised: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 06/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Efflux pumps are transport proteins involved in the extrusion of toxic substrates from cells to the external environment. Activities of efflux pumps have been found in many organisms, however such activity has not been evidenced in earthworms. Adult Eisenia andrei earthworms were exposed to efflux modulators - verapamil (a known inhibitor of efflux pump protein) and dexamethasone (a known inducer of efflux activity) - and the amount of absorbed fluorescent dye rhodamine B was measured. The results showed that verapamil inhibited efflux activity and decreased removal of rhodamine B, whereas dexamethasone induced efflux activity and increased removal of rhodamine B. This is the first evidence of the presence of efflux pump in earthworm Eisenia andrei. Since earthworms are often used as test organisms due to their sensitive reactions towards environmental influences, the discovery of efflux pump activity can contribute to the better understanding of toxicity of certain pollutants.
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Velki M, Kodrík D, Večeřa J, Hackenberger BK, Socha R. Oxidative stress elicited by insecticides: a role for the adipokinetic hormone. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 172:77-84. [PMID: 21185291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Revised: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) are insect neuropeptides responding to stress situations including oxidative stress. Two insecticides - endosulfan and malathion - were used to elicit oxidative stress conditions in the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus, and the physiological functions of AKHs and their ability to activate protective antioxidative reactions were studied. The insecticide treatments elicited only a slight increase of the AKH level in CNS, but more intensive increase in haemolymph, which indicates an immediate involvement of AKH in the stress response. The treatment also resulted in a significant increase of catalase activity in the bug's body and depletion of the reduced glutathione pool in the haemolymph, however, co-application of the insecticides with the AKH (80 pmol) reduced the effect. It has also been found that co-application of the insecticides with AKH increased significantly the bug mortality compared to that induced by the insecticides alone. This enhanced effect of the insecticides probably resulted from the stimulatory role of AKH on bug metabolism: the carbon dioxide production was increased significantly after the co-treatment by AKH with insecticides compared to insecticide treatment alone. It was hypothesized that the increased metabolic rate could intensify the insecticide action by an accelerated rate of exchange of metabolites accompanied by faster penetration of insecticides into tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Velki
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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