Associations between liver lesions in winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) and sediment chemical contaminants from north-east United States estuaries

Abstract

Neoplastic diseases, particularly of bottom-dwelling fishes, are more prevalent in coastal areas than in areas that are relatively pristine. Although sediments in many urbanized estuaries contain high concentrations of contaminants, there is little evidence linking a specific organic or inorganic chemical to a particular liver lesion in winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus), despite increasing study in recent years. Between 1984 and 1986, sediments and winter flounder were collected from 10 sites in the north-east United States ranging from grossly polluted to relatively unimpacted. Sediments were analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals. Gross and microscopic pathological examinations were conducted on winter flounder liver sections. Factor and canonical correlation analyses were used to explore associations between biological and chemical measurements. Hepatitis, cholangitis, phlebitis, and macrophage aggregate hyperplasia showed positive associations with low molecular weight, petroleum-derived PAHs (naphthalene, anthracene, 1-methylnaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, biphenyl, fluorene, and 1-methylphenanthrene), the pesticides lindane, hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor epoxide, and o,p -DDD, tri-to hexachlorobiphenyls, and chromium, cadmium, lead, thallium, and selenium, but were negatively associated with the pesticides o,p -DDT, p,p -DDT, p,p -DDE, and mirex. Cytoplasmic hepatocellular vacuolation, cytoplasmic bile duct vacuolation, neoplasms, and pre-neoplasms showed positive associations with most PAHs measured, whether petroleum-derived or combustion-derived (benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo [a]anthracene, dibenzo [a,h]anthracene, perylene, chrysene, and fluoranthene), the pesticides dieldrin, trans-nonachlor and alpha-chlordane, and silver, copper, antimony, and tin, but no associations with PCBs were found. Coagulative necrosis, single cell necrosis and haemorrhagic necrosis showed positive associations with hepta-to nonachlorobiphenyls and arsenic, zinc, nickel, and mercury, and negative associations with high molecular weight, combustion-derived PAHs and DDT compounds and metabolites.

Toxicological impact of detergent effluent on juvenile of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (Buchell 1822)

“…It was also observed that the histopathological changes in the liver caused metabolic problems; this is evident and more pronounced as observed in the oedematous cells (which is an indication bile stagnation in the liver of exposed fish); this lesion is characterized by the remains of the bile in the form of droplets in the cytoplasm of the hepatocyte and this convincingly supported the submission of Pacheco and Santos, (2002) that stated that bile is not being released from the liver -which is also an indication of possible damage to the hepatic metabolic functions of the liver. An increased in the degree of damages done to the liver tissue of the fishes (Clarias gariepinus) held in 0.004 mg/L, 0.005 mg/L and 0.006mg/L detergent effluents, is generally related to important hepatic lesions such as degenerative and necrotic processes, this observation was in line with the submission of Chang et al, (1998) and Pacheco and Santos (2002). Furthermore, the presence of bile stagnation/accumulation and melanomacarophages in great quantity in the liver of exposed C. gariepinus is strong evidence that this organ suffered structural and metabolic damage due to the exposure to the effluent.…”

Environmental genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the offshore zones of the Baltic and the North Seas

“…It should be stressed that higher prevalence of liver tumors has been also described in flounder females from the southeastern part of the North Sea (Wadden Sea) (Köhler, 2004). Moreover, appearance of pre-neoplasms and neoplasms in winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) showed positive associations with distribution of (benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo [a]anthracene, di-benzo [a,h]anthracene, perylene, chrysene, and fluoranthene (Chang et al, 1998). were very low, while in autumn of the next year they were 3-10 times higher.…”

Trace element concentrations in the apex predator swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from a Mediterranean fishery and risk assessment for consumers

“…Associations between these elements may reflect the biochemical regulation of element concentration or a requirement of elements (such as Zn and Cu) for the synthesis of detoxifying proteins enzymes (e.g., glutathione and dismutases) as a feedback mechanism for an increase in toxic elements (Chang et al, 1998;Joyeux et al, 2004). These results can also show that some elements have similar sources (e.g.…”