Enteric nervous system analyses: New biomarkers for environmental quality assessment

Author(s)

Marinsek, Gabriela Pustiglione ^[1] ; de Souza Abessa, Denis Moledo ^[1] ; Gusso-Choueri, Paloma Kachel ^[1] ; Choueri, Rodrigo Brasil ^[2] ; Nascimento Goncalves, Alexandre Rodrigo ^[1] ; D'angelo Barroso, Beatriz Vivian ^[1] ; Santos, Gustavo Souza ^[3] ; Cestari, Marta Margarete ^[3] ; de Campos, Bruno Galvao ^[1] ; Mari, Renata de Britto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Biosci, Praca Infante Dom Henrique S-N, Parque Bitaru, Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Marine Sci, UNIFESP Santos, Santos Campus, Av Almirante Saldanha da Gama 89, BR-11030490 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Parana UFPR, Genet Dept, BR-81531990 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 137, p. 711-722, DEC 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of fish is a target of contaminants since it can absorb these substances. We evaluated the morphophysiological alterations in the GIT of Sphoeroides testudineus collected in two estuaries presenting differences in their environmental quality (NIA and IA). The intestine was analyzed for histological and neuronal changes; liver and gills for biochemical markers; muscle tissues for neurotoxicity and peripheral blood for genotoxic damage. The results showed alterations in the GIT of the animals collected in the IA, such as muscle tunica and goblet cell density reduction, increased intraepithelial lymphocytes density and changes in neuronal density. Furthermore, changes were observed in MTs and LPO in the gills. Thus, we suggest that TGI is functioning as a barrier that responds to ingested contaminants, in order to reduce their absorption and trans location. Thus, alterations in morphophysiological and enteric neurons in S. testudineus can be used as biomarkers of environmental contamination. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/07793-9 - Assessment of the anthropogenic action on morphofunctional aspects of puffer fish Sphoeroides testudineus (Tetradontiformes: Tetradontidae) in estuarine complex of Santos and Peruíbe, São Paulo
• Grantee: Renata de Britto Mari
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants