Comparison of biomarker and pathological responses in flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) induced by ingested polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination

Chemosphere. 2003 Aug;52(7):1135-45. doi: 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00332-1.

Abstract

This study investigated the response of biomarker measurements and histopathological indicators of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in the flounder (Platichthys flesus L.). Flounder were fed food spiked with a mixture of four PAHs at an environmentally relevant range of concentrations for either one or six months. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was elevated following 1 month exposure to PAH concentrations up to 50 mgkg(-1) in food. Bile metabolite concentrations were found to increase with PAH concentration, up to 500 mgkg(-1) PAH. By comparison, no DNA adducts were detected and there were no significant histopathological changes observed. After 6 months exposure, EROD levels were not elevated but bile metabolites showed a similar dose dependent relationship as in the 1 month experiment, while DNA adducts were only detected in the highest PAH exposure groups. No significant histopathological changes were observed. The results are discussed with respect to the implications for the use of these methods in environmental monitoring studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile / chemistry
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / analysis*
  • DNA Adducts / drug effects
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Female
  • Flounder / metabolism*
  • Liver* / enzymology
  • Liver* / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Organ Specificity
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / metabolism
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / toxicity*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA Adducts
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1