Effects of 9,10-phenanthrenequione on antioxidant indices and metabolite profiles in Takifugu obscurus plasma

Abstract

Derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated-PAHs (oxy-PAHs) may pose hazards to aquatic organisms, which remain largely unknown. Takifugu obscurus is an important anadromous fish species of high economic and ecological values. In the present study, T. obscurus was acutely exposed to 44.29 µg l −1 9,10-phenanthrenequione (9,10-PQ) for 96 h. Changes of antioxidant indices and metabolite profiles in plasma were compared between 9,10-PQ treatment and the control. The results showed that 9,10-PQ treatment significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content during 6 to 96 h, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities at 6 h, but decreased them at 96 h. These results indicated that 9,10-PQ induced oxidative stress to fish. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) analysis revealed that four metabolic pathways were influenced in response to treatment with 9,10-PQ, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, purine metabolism and sulfur metabolism. These pathways are associated with antioxidant mechanisms, biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and innate immune functions. Thus, the as-obtained results confirmed that 9,10-PQ induced oxidative stress and raised concerns of neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity to fish. Overall, the present study posed a high environmental risk of oxy-PAHs to aquatic ecosystems.

Influence of Exposure Pathways on Tissue Distribution and Health Impact of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives

“…171 After acute exposure to 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in T. obscurus, four metabolic pathways are affected, and the 9,10phenanthrenequinone induced oxidative stress and causes neurotoxicity in fish. 172 Previous studies have suggested that the ingestion of PAHs and the derivatives could cause neurotoxicity. After maternal perinatal dietary intake of PAHs, adult male rats showed increased anxiety-related behaviors and decreased metabolism in several different brain regions.…”

“…Studies have reported that in differentiated human neuroblastoma SKN-SH cell lines, both parent PAHs and APAHs including dibenzothiophene and retene produce neurotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner, and APAHs are more toxic than parent PAHs . After acute exposure to 9,10- phenanthrenequinone in T. obscurus , four metabolic pathways are affected, and the 9,10-phenanthrenequinone induced oxidative stress and causes neurotoxicity in fish …”