Antagonistic Effects of Enrofloxacin on Carbendazim-Induced Developmental Toxicity in Zebrafish Embryos

Abstract

Carbendazim (CAR) and enrofloxacin (ENF) are frequently detected in fruits and meat products, respectively. Since most people consume fruits, vegetables, and meat products, combined exposure is possible, necessitating further evaluation of toxic interactions. In this study, the developmental toxicity of separate and combined exposure was examined in zebrafish embryos. Carbendazim exposure at 0.79 mg/L and above significantly affected developmental parameters, while enrofloxacin alone had no substantial effects on these developmental parameters within the selected concentration range (0.10–0.40 mg/L). Surprisingly, ENF antagonized the CAR-evoked reduction in the 48 hpf (hours post-fertilization) hatching rate and the increases in the 96 hpf malformation and lethality rates. The results revealed that the antagonism might be associated with reciprocal effects of these compounds on metabolism-related genes, such as cyp7a1 and apoa1a. These results reveal a complex interaction between ENF and CAR on metabolic regulation during development and highlight the importance of combined assessment for agents with the potential for simultaneous exposure.

The Research Status, Potential Hazards and Toxicological Mechanisms of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics in the Environment

“…For example, Luan et al (2022) suggested that enrofloxacin-ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin-florfenicol pairs exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity at specific concentrations in human hepatocytes, while enrofloxacin and sulfadimidine induced synergistic cytotoxicity at all tested concentrations [136]. Fan et al (2022) found that enrofloxacin and carbendazim coexposure reduced the hatching rate at 48 h postfertilization and increased the hatching malformation and lethality rates at 96 h postfertilization in zebrafish embryos, which indicated that the antagonistic toxicity effects might be related to the reciprocal effects of metabolism-related genes, such as cyp7a1 and apoa1a [137]. Zhao et al (2018) found that ciprofloxacin and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle complexes induced additive toxic effects on methanogenesis and the degradation of proteins and carbohydrates.…”

The research status, potential hazards and toxicological mechanisms of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the environment

“…The mixed ratio signi cantly affected synergistic toxicity. For example,Luan et al (2022) suggested that enro oxacin-cipro oxacin and enro oxacin-orfenicol pairs exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity at speci c concentrations in human hepatocytes, while enro oxacin and sulfadimidine induced synergistic cytotoxicity at all tested concentrations Fan et al (2022). found that enro oxacin and carbendazim coexposure reduced the hatching rate at 48 hours postfertilization and increased the hatching malformation and lethality rates at 96 hours postfertilization in zebra sh embryos.…”