No abstract

Microcystins (MICs) are potent toxins produced worldwide by cyanobacteria during bloom events. Phosphatases inhibition is a well recognized effect of this kind of toxins as well as oxidative stress. However, it is not fully understood why and how MICs exposure can lead to an excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that culminate in oxidative damage. Some evidences suggest a close connection between cellular hyperphosphorylation state and oxidative stress generation induced by MICs exposure. It is shown, based on literature data, that MICs incorporation per se can be the first event that triggers glutathione depletion and the consequent increase in ROS concentration. Also, literature data suggest that hyperphosphorylated cellular environment induced by MICs exposure can modulate antioxidant enzymes, contributing to the generation of oxidative damage. This review summarizes information on MICs toxicity in aquatic animals, focusing on mechanistic aspects, and rise questions that in our opinion needs to be further investigated.

No abstract

Mercury is a toxic metal that can be found in the environment in three different forms – elemental, organic and inorganic. Inorganic mercury has a lower liposolubility, which results in a lower organism absorption and reduced passage through the blood–brain barrier. For this reason, exposure models that use inorganic mercury in rats in order to evaluate its effects on the central nervous system are rare, especially in adult subjects. This study investigated if a chronic exposure to low doses of mercury chloride (HgCl2), an inorganic form of mercury, is capable of promoting motor alterations and neurodegenerative in the motor cortex of adult rats. Forty animals were exposed to a dose of 0.375 mg/kg/day, for 45 days. They were then submitted to motor evaluation and euthanized to collect the motor cortex. Measurement of mercury deposited in the brain parenchyma, evaluation of oxidative balance, quantification of cellular cytotoxicity and apoptosis and density of mature neurons and astrocytes of the motor cortex were performed. It was observed that chronic exposure to inorganic mercury caused a decrease in balance and fine motor coordination, formation of mercury deposits and oxidative stress verified by the increase of lipoperoxidation and nitrite concentration and a decrease of the total antioxidant capacity. In addition, we found that this model of exposure to inorganic mercury caused cell death by cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis with a decreased number of neurons and astrocytes in the motor cortex. Our results provide evidence that exposure to inorganic mercury in low doses, even in spite of its poor ability to cross biological barriers, is still capable of inducing motor deficits, cell death by cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and oxidative stress in the motor cortex of adult rats.

No abstract

Biomarkers of exposure and effect of pollutants were analyzed in croakers Micropogonias furnieri (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) captured in winter and summer in a polluted and in a non-polluted site at the Patos Lagoon estuary (Southern Brazil). Catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities (exposure biomarkers) and lipid peroxidation (effect biomarker) were analyzed in liver samples. Other two effect biomarkers were also studied: blood cells DNA damage (through comet assay and micronucleus test) and respiratory burst measurements. In a broad view, results point to an important seasonal variation of the biochemical biomarkers analyzed. However, data obtained clearly indicate that croakers collected in winter at the polluted site were subjected to a level of clastogenic agents sufficient to generate irreversible genetic damages (mutations) and impair the fish immune system.

Investigation of biochemical and morphological parameters underlying the cognitive dysfunction after MeHg exposure.

No abstract