Developmental toxicity and endocrine disrupting potency of 4-azapyrene, benzo[b]fluorene and retene in the zebrafish Danio rerio

Reprod Toxicol. 2012 Apr;33(2):213-23. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2011.11.001. Epub 2011 Nov 20.

Abstract

This study examined the developmental toxicity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 11H-benzo(b)fluorene (BBF) and 4-azapyrene (AP) in comparison to the known teratogen retene. Developmental toxicity assays were performed in zebrafish embryos exposed for 120 h. BBF and retene induced a similar dioxin-like phenotype, whereas AP showed distinct effects, particularly craniofacial malformations. Microarray analysis revealed that for BBF and retene, drug metabolism pathways were induced, which were confirmed by subsequent studies of cyp1a gene expression. For AP, microarray analysis revealed the regulation of genes involved in retinoid metabolism and hematological functions. Studies with a panel of CALUX(®) bioassays to screen for endocrine disrupting activity of the compounds also revealed novel antagonistic effects of BBF and retene on androgen and progesterone receptors. Classification analysis revealed distinct gene expression profiles for both individual and combined PAH exposure. This study highlights the potential health risk of non priority PAHs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / toxicity*
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / genetics
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / metabolism
  • Teratogens / toxicity*
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Teratogens