Atrazine Exposure Induces Hepatic Metabolism Disorder in Male Adult Zebrafish

Abstract

Atrazine (ATZ) is a herbicide used in agricultural production and has been detected in surface water due to its widespread use worldwide. This may pose a threat to the health of aquatic animals. To explore the ATZ−induced hepatic metabolism disorder, male zebrafish were exposed to 300 and 1000 μg/L ATZ for 21 days, respectively. The results revealed that ATZ exposure significantly reduced hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels, while significantly (p < 0.05) increased pyruvate (PYR) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. In addition, the liver sample from the 1000 μg/L ATZ−treated group was used for GC/MS metabolomic analysis. The principal component analysis (PCA) model showed significant separation of the 1000 μg/L ATZ group from the control group, indicating that ATZ exposure altered hepatic metabolism in male adult zebrafish. A total of 29 significantly (p < 0.05) different metabolites were observed and identified in the ATZ−treated group. Moreover, the most disturbed pathways by ATZ were the arginine and proline metabolic pathways, followed by the glutathione metabolic pathway. Three and two metabolites were significantly altered in the arginine and proline metabolic pathways and glutathione metabolic pathway, respectively. Based on these results, we suggested that ATZ was capable of altering liver metabolism in zebrafish and that its ecological risk to aquatic organisms cannot be ignored.

Liver Metabolic Dysregulation Induced by Polypropylene Nano- and Microplastics in Nile Tilapia Using Internal Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…Amino acids are important precursors for the synthesis of peptides and proteins . In recent years, the metabolic changes of amino acids have become an important means of detecting diseases . For example, intestinal microorganisms promote the host resistance to hypothermia by stimulating arginine and proline metabolism .…”

“…42 In recent years, the metabolic changes of amino acids have become an important means of detecting diseases. 43 For example, intestinal microorganisms promote the host resistance to hypothermia by stimulating arginine and proline metabolism. 43 Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) plays a protective role in paraquat-induced lung injury through arginine and proline metabolism.…”

“…43 For example, intestinal microorganisms promote the host resistance to hypothermia by stimulating arginine and proline metabolism. 43 Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) plays a protective role in paraquat-induced lung injury through arginine and proline metabolism. 44 The arginine and proline metabolism pathway is considered to have a unique relationship with the alleviation of liver injury.…”