Open AccessHistopathological effects of silver nanoparticles in Rhamdia quelen after oral exposure
Author(s) -
E.A. López-Barrera,
Sônia Regina Grötzner,
Luíse Esquivel,
Carmen Lúcia Voigt,
Sandro Xavier de Campos,
Ciro Alberto de Oliveira Ribeiro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecotoxicology and environmental contamination
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2317-9643
DOI - 10.5132/eec.2021.01.11
Subject(s) - silver nanoparticle , bioaccumulation , kidney , catfish , bioavailability , toxicity , steatosis , lesion , physiology , histopathology , toxicology , chemistry , biology , pharmacology , pathology , medicine , nanoparticle , endocrinology , fish <actinopterygii> , environmental chemistry , nanotechnology , fishery , materials science
The studies about silver nanoparticles (AgNP) increased in the last years but few is known about their effects in Brazilian neotropical freshwater fish species. The current study investigated the effects of AgNP on adult silver catfish Rhamdia quelen after subchronic oral exposure. After nanoparticle (NP) size and area characterization fish were administrated with three different doses for 15 days (0.03, 0.3 and 3 µg g-1). The concentration of silver in liver and kidney was measured to evaluate the bioaccumulation and discuss its effects in the target organs. Liver bioaccumulated 15, 1.7 and 0.2 % of administered doses while kidney bioaccumulated 1.33, 0.33 and 0.9 % (respectively for 0.03, 0.3 and 3 µg g-1). The histopathological findings were considered in both organs to evaluate the effects of AgNP, according to Bernet’s Lesion Index (BLI). Also were included the melano-macrophages center (MMC) and new nephrons (NN) counting respectively in liver and posterior kidney. The results revealed morphological injuries as inflammation in both studied organs and vascular congestion and steatosis in liver, in a concentration dependent way. The presence of AgNP in the tissues revealed the bioavailability of the nanoparticle while the damages and morphological disturbs showed the potential risk of exposure in R. quelen, even under environmental relevant concentrations.