Induction of EROD activity in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) experimentally exposed to benzo[a]pyrene and beta-naphthoflavone

Environ Int. 2003 Jul;29(4):467-73. doi: 10.1016/S0160-4120(03)00005-9.

Abstract

The induction of liver ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was investigated in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, collected from a Mediterranean brackish environment and experimentally exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and beta-naphthoflavone (BNF). Eels were injected intraperitoneally at increasing doses (0.1, 1, 10, and 50 mg/kg wet body weight) using corn oil as a carrier and sacrificed after 7 days. The main objectives of the present study are: (1). to assess of the sensitivity of EROD induction as a biomarker to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure; (2). to determine an EROD dose-response relationship of the contaminants used; and (3). to compare the efficiency of B[a]P and BNF as inducers of EROD activity. Results showed that both chemicals resulted in a dose-dependent EROD induction, but increases were not linear. EROD activity seemed to reach a plateau at the exposure of 10 mg/kg in both treatment groups; B[a]P was a more potent inducer than BNF was at the higher doses (10 and 50 mg/kg), while the opposite result was observed at the lower ones (0.1 and 1 mg/kg). The greatest induction occurred in eels treated with 10 mg/kg B[a]P, in which a 261-fold increase in EROD activity was observed. Results showed that EROD activity in A. anguilla is significantly induced by B[a]P and BNF exposure, responding to a wide range of concentrations of these contaminants. We infer that this tool may be suited as a diagnostic biomarker for biomonitoring PAHs pollution in Mediterranean brackish environments and further field research is suggested.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anguilla / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / adverse effects*
  • beta-Naphthoflavone / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • beta-Naphthoflavone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1