Effects of benzo[a]pyrene on the blood and liver of Physalaemus cuvieri and Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Author(s)

Fanali, Lara Zacari ^[1] ; Franco-Belussi, Lilian ^{[2, 3]} ; Bonini-Domingos, Claudia Regina ^[2] ; de Oliveira, Classius ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Grad Program Anim Biol, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Dept Biol, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, CCTS, Grad Program Biotechnol & Environm Monitoring, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Pollution; v. 237, p. 93-102, JUN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Benzotalpyrene (BaP) is a bio-accumulative toxic compound found in the atmosphere, water, and soil that may affect the life cycle of amphibians. In this study, a few contamination biomarkers, such as hepatic melanomacrophages (MMs), mast cells, erythrocyte micronuclei (MN) and white blood cells were used to determine how BaP acts in these cells in the anurans Physalaemus cuvieri and Leptodactylus fuscus. Animals of both species were divided into three treatment groups: 1 day, 7 days and 13 days, subcutaneously injected 2 mg/kg BaP diluted in mineral oil and control group with only mineral oil. After 7 days, BaP caused the frequency of MN to increase in both species while reducing melanin area. The micronucleus frequency increased due to the genotoxicity of BaP, while the decreasing melanin area may be related to the inhibition of tyrosinase activity, an enzyme responsible for regulating melanogenesis, decreasing the synthesis of melanin. The mast cell density increased in all groups and in both species as a response to the inflammatory action of BaP. These cells respond to nonspecific inflammatory effects leading, therefore, to this response in all treatments. The percentage of leukocytes remained unchanged probably due to great intraspecific variability. Additionally, the leukocyte profiles of both species were characterized and the differences were attributed to extrinsic factors. In short, BaP can affect the integrity of several organs and tissues, and cell functions leading to the conclusion that this compound is hepatotoxic, genotoxic and immunotoxic for anurans. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/07466-8 - Effects of the benzo[alfa]pyrene in liver and blood of the species Physalaemus cuvieri and Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
• Grantee: Lara Zácari Fanali
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/00946-4 - Internal Pigmentation in Ectotherms: Innate immunity and UV defense
• Grantee: Lilian Franco Belussi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral