Relative expression of microRNAs, apoptosis, and ultrastructure anomalies induced by gold nanoparticles in Trachyderma hispida (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

The extensive use of nanomaterials generates toxic effects on non-target species and the ecosystem. Although gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) are generally expected to be safe, the recent study contains conflicting data regarding their cytotoxicity in the darkling beetles Trachyderma hispida. The study postulated cellular perturbation in the ovarian tissue of the beetles induced by a sublethal dose of Au-NPs (0.01 mg/g). When compared with the controls, a significant inhibition in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes selenium-dependent (GPOX) and selenium-independent (GSTP) glutathione peroxidases (GPx) was observed in the treated beetles. The study proposed microRNAs (miRNA-282 and miRNA-989) as genotoxic markers for the first time, reporting a significant suppression in their transcriptional levels in the treated beetles. Furthermore, TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) and flow cytometry assays (annexin V-Fitc) indicated a significant increase in ovarian cell apoptosis in the treated beetles. Additionally, an ultrastructure examination revealed pathological changes in the ovarian cells of the treated beetles. The resulting anomalies in the present study may interrupt the fecundity of the beetles and lead to the future suppression of beetle populations.

Insights into Ag-NPs-mediated pathophysiology and ultrastructural aberrations in ovarian tissues of darkling beetles

“…The emergence of apoptotic cells verifies the findings of the comet assay. Our findings are consistent with those of El-Ashram et al 16 , who found an abnormality in the oogenesis with Au exposure in Trachyderma hispida . Nuclear deformities are the first symptoms of cell death 49 , which are evident in the trophocytes in this study.…”

“…In our recent studies, we highlighted a strong and consistent association between exposure to Ag-NPs and the structural and physiological alterations, even at the molecular and transcriptional level of insect gonads in darkling beetles ( Blaps polychresta ). However, it is well known that females are more susceptible to the toxicity of nanoparticles due to great variations in physiological functions 1 , 16 , 17 . A few recently published studies delineated the importance and potential exploitation of female beetles as nanotoxicity indicator species 3 .…”

Emerging alternatives to traditional anthelmintics: the in vitro antiparasitic activity of silver and selenium nanoparticles, and pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract against Haemonchus contortus

“…Additionally, the UV-Vis absorption spectra were precisely determined by an Ocean Optics USB 2000 + VISNIR fiber optical spectrophotometer. This commercially supplied AgNPs produced by NanoTech Egypt was previously characterized in several publications using spectrophotometric assays, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, and XRD (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ). The AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 20 ± 5 nm and it was dispersed in deionized water (DW) (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ).…”

“…This commercially supplied AgNPs produced by NanoTech Egypt was previously characterized in several publications using spectrophotometric assays, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, and XRD (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ). The AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 20 ± 5 nm and it was dispersed in deionized water (DW) (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ). The absorption spectrum of the AgNPs displayed a peak at 410 nm (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ).…”

“…The AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 20 ± 5 nm and it was dispersed in deionized water (DW) (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ). The absorption spectrum of the AgNPs displayed a peak at 410 nm (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ). The Ag-NPs were found to exist as either individual spherical particles or as aggregated clusters (Abou Elez et al 2021 ; El-Ashram et al 2020 ; Fouad et al 2021 ; Ouf et al 2017 ).…”