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Silver (nano)materials cause genotoxicity in Enchytraeus crypticus , as determined by the comet assay
Author(s) -
Maria Vera L.,
Ribeiro Maria João,
Guilherme Sofia,
Soares Amadeu M.V.M.,
ScottFordsmand Janeck J.,
Amorim Mónica J.B.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.3944
Subject(s) - genotoxicity , comet assay , ecotoxicity , environmental chemistry , chemistry , silver nitrate , toxicology , toxicity , biology , nuclear chemistry , dna damage , biochemistry , organic chemistry , dna
Abstract Enchytraeids have been used in standard ecotoxicity testing for approximately 20 yr. Since adopting the standard test for survival and reproduction, a number of additional tools have been developed, including transcriptomics and enzymatic biomarkers. So far, a genotoxicity tool and endpoint have not been used; hence, the goals of the present study included optimization of the in vivo alkaline comet assay in Enchytraeus crypticus . Further, the effect of silver nanomaterial (Ag NM300K, dispersed, 15 nm) was tested and compared with silver nitrate. Hydrogen peroxide was used as a positive control. The various steps were optimized. The fully detailed standard operating procedure is presented. Silver materials caused genotoxicity, this being differentiated for the nano and non‐nano forms. Silver nitrate caused genotoxicity after 3 d of exposure in a dose‐related manner, although after 7 d the effects were either reduced or repaired. Ag NM300K caused higher genotoxicity after 7 d for the lowest concentration, highlighting a potential nonmonotonic dose–response effect. Overall, the comet assay showed the power to discriminate effects between materials and also toxicity at low relevant doses. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:184–191. © 2017 SETAC