Toxicity of Citrate-Capped Silver Nanoparticles in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Abstract

Juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were used as a model to investigate acute toxicity and oxidative stress caused by silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The fish were exposed to different concentrations of Ag-NPs for 48 h and 96 h. After exposure, antioxidant enzyme levels were measured, including glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxidase dismutase, and catalase (CAT). Other biochemical parameters and histological abnormalities in different tissues (i.e., the liver, gills, and brain) were also examined. The results showed that Ag-NPs agglomerated in freshwater used during the exposure experiments, with particle size remaining <100 nm. Ag-NPs had no lethal effect on fish after 4 days of exposure. Biochemical analysis showed that enzymatic activities in the brain of the fish exposed to 200 μg/L of Ag-NPs were significantly reduced. Varied antioxidant enzyme activity was recorded in the liver and gills. Varied antioxidant enzyme activity was recorded for CAT in the liver and GST in the gills of the fish. However, the recovery rate of fish exposed to 200 μg/L of Ag-NPs was slower than when lower particle concentrations were used. Other biochemical indices showed no significant difference, except for NH3 and blood urea nitrogen concentrations in fish exposed to 50 μg/L of Ag-NPs. This study provides new evidence about the effects of nanoparticles on aquatic organisms.

Toxicity, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of silver nanoparticles in green algae (Chlorellasp.), water flea (Moina macrocopa), blood worm (Chironomusspp.) and silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus)

“…The antioxidant enzyme system in contaminated animals may also be responsible for the elimination of oxidative stress during the early stage of the body's defensive mechanism (Lee et al, 2012). The results of histology confirmed the finding that silver nanoparticles were indeed accumulated in the tissues and internal organs of silver barbs.…”

“…Exposure of fish to silver nanoparticles in higher concentrations like in our study showed stronger foetal impacts than in lower concentrations even within a short period of exposure. The acute toxic effects that caused the death of fish in this study were likely due to the inhibition of the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange process because of injury to the respiratory organs (Lee et al, 2012), in this case the gills or perhaps because of the induction of an inflammatory response and metallic detoxification processes in the liver of the exposed fish (Chae et al, 2009). If the fish were exposed to AgNPs for a longer period or at higher concentrations, Ag + and AgNPs may cause changes in cells and tissues that could lead to a lethal effect on cells.…”

“…However, the study Lee et al, (2012) revealed that AgNPs (200 µg L -1 ) had no lethal effect on fish after four days of exposure. Exposure of fish to silver nanoparticles in higher concentrations like in our study showed stronger foetal impacts than in lower concentrations even within a short period of exposure.…”

“…In Lake Macquarie, benthic species take up heavy metals from contaminated sediments (Peters et al, 1999). Silver nanoparticles can get into the bodies of fish through direct uptake and then be accumulated in the skin, liver and gills (Lee et al, 2012). The biomagnification of silver nanoparticles occurs when the values of the biotransference factors of silver nanoparticles between prey and predator are greater than one (Misztal-Szkudlinska et al, 2011;Gray, 2002).…”

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles On Energy Metabolism In Selected Tissues Of Aeromonas Hydrophila Infected Indian Major Carp, Catla Catla

“…Though AgNPs are believed to possess bactericidal properties against fish pathogens in vitro (12), many in vivo studies demonstrated conflicting results against use of AgNPs in fishes (13,14). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was twofold.…”