Single and combined effects of carbamazepine and copper on nervous and antioxidant systems of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Various pollutants co‐exist in the aquatic environment such as carbamazepine (CBZ) and copper (Cu), which can cause complex effects on inhabiting organisms. The toxic impacts of the single substance have been studied extensively. However, the studies about their combined adverse impacts are not enough. In the present study, zebrafish were exposed to environmental relevant concentrations of CBZ (1, 10, and 100 μg/L), Cu (0.5, 5, and 10 μg/L) and the mixtures (1 μg/L CBZ + 0.5 μg/L Cu, 10 μg/L CBZ + 5 μg/L Cu, 100 μg/L CBZ + 10 μg/L Cu) for 45 days, the effects on nervous and antioxidant systems of zebrafish were investigated. The results demonstrated that, in comparison with single exposure group, the combined presence of CBZ and Cu exacerbated the effect of antioxidant system (the ability of inhibition of hydroxyl radicals (IHR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST)) but not nervous system (Acetylcholinesterase [AChE]). The qPCR results supported the changes of corresponding enzymes activities. Hepatic histopathological analysis verified the results of biomarkers. Our work illustrated that the toxicity of mixed pollutants is very complicated, which cannot simply be inferred from the toxicity of single pollutant, and calls for more co‐exposure experiments to better understanding of the co‐effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms.

Development and Molecular Investigation into the Effects of Carbamazepine Exposure in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Secondly, GABA and glutamate (Glu) concentrations, as well as transcript levels associated with GABA and glutamate receptor mRNA levels (gabra1, grin1b, and gria2b), and glutamate metabolic pathways (gad1b and abat) were determined in larval fish. Moreover, since acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a widely used enzymatic biomarker of neurotoxicity and is often measured in studies to detect neurotoxic effects of various contaminants in the aquatic environment [31,32], AChE activity was also determined.…”

Effects of carbamazepine in aquatic biota

“…43 Overall, impact of CBZ on the fitness may affect future generations and change the biodiversity. 73 In addition, synergistic effects with other stresses are suspected, 8,12,47,48,71,74,75 as well as contrasted impact of CBZ metabolites. 76…”

Human Drug Pollution in the Aquatic System: The Biochemical Responses of Danio rerio Adults

“…A very recent study analysed the effects after 45 days of exposure to carbamazepine (1, 10 and 100 µg/L) on the whole body of Danio rerio adults studying acetylcholinesterase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities (Table 2). The authors highlighted the decreases in acetylcholinesterase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase activity at high drug concentrations along with the increases in catalase and glutathione S-transferase at low drug concentrations [168]. The different trends of these enzymatic activities, which have been shown to be concentration dependent, are probably due to a condition of high oxidative stress at high exposure concentrations with a consequential suffering of the organism, unlike the lower concentrations in which the antioxidant system still responds to increase the levels of enzyme released into the circulation.…”