Genotoxic Effects of Aluminum on the Neotropical Fish Prochilodus lineatus

Abstract

Applying an integrated approach using the Comet, micronucleus (MN), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays, occurrence of erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) and the liver activity of antioxidants enzymes (catalase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) was carried out to evaluate the effects of acute (6, 24, and 96 h) and subchronic (15 days) exposures to aluminum on fish Prochilodus lineatus. The Comet assay showed that fish erythrocytes exhibited significantly higher DNA damage after 6 and 96 h of Al exposure. MN frequencies were very low and did not increase significantly after Al exposures, while ENAs frequency increased significantly after all exposure periods. RAPD profiles obtained with DNA from fish fins collected before the toxicity tests were compared to the profiles with DNA from gills and liver of the same fish sampled after Al exposures. Alterations in RAPD profiles, including appearance and disappearance of bands, after 6 h, 24 h, and 15 days of Al exposure were detected. Fish exposed to Al for 6 and 24 h also showed significant increases in GST and catalase activities. These results indicated that Al exposure was genotoxic to P. lineatus, inducing DNA damage in peripheral erythrocytes. The induction of antioxidant enzymes might be an indication that Al causes oxidative damage to DNA, while the very low frequency of MN suggests that Al does not produce clastogenic or aneugenic effects. Genotoxic effects after 15 days of Al exposure was revealed only by RAPD, showing that this assay represents a sensitive method to detect genotoxic damage, occasionally not detected by other genotoxic tests used in toxicological genetics studies.

Habitat induced mutational effects and fatty acid profile changes in bottom dweller <em>Cirrhinus mrigala</em> inhabitant of river Chenab

“…The present findings showed Hussain et al (2011). Most of the current literature concerning the combined effects of heavy metals on fish mainly comes from histopathological and physiological studies while information about the potential genotoxic effects on this vertebrate group is still scarce (Galindo et al, 2010). None of the data is available in the literature for the comparison of these findings as related to DNA damage and fatty acid profile until now and hence could be used for future perspectives.…”

Gill histopathology and micronucleus test of Astyanax jacuhiensis (Cope, 1894) (Teleostei, Characidae) to evaluate effects caused by acute exposure to aluminum

“…In a study by Galindo et al (2010), micronuclei frequencies did not increase signiicantly in Prochilodus lineatus juveniles exposed to Al and an acidic pH for 6, 24 and 96 h, in comparison with the negative control group. However, in the same study, nuclear abnormalities frequencies increased signiicantly after all exposure periods.…”

Flooding modifies the genotoxic effects of pollution on a worm, a mussel and two fish species from the Sava River

“…The study of Baršienė et al (2010) showed induction in micronuclei formation in mussels and fish collected from the area contaminated by aluminium industry. The studies of García-Medina et al (2011 reported a genotoxic effect of aluminium in blood cells of common carp (C. carpio) caused by oxidative stress, while the studies of Galindo et al (2010) and Pereira et al (2013) reported genotoxic effects of aluminium in neotrophical fish Prochilodus lineatus and zebrafish (Danio rerio) respectively. We also observed a significant correlation between the level of DNA damage and concentrations of iron in water.…”