Induction of biotransformation in the liver of Eel (Anguilla anguilla L. ) by sublethal exposure to dinitro-o-cresol: An ultrastructural and biochemical study

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-6513(91)90014-G· OSTI ID:5458371

Braunbeck, T; Voelkl, A ^[1]

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1. Department of Zoology I, University of Heidelberg (Germany)

Structural and functional alterations in hepatocytes of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, following a 4-week-exposure to 5, 50, and 250 micrograms/liter dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) were investigated by means of electron microscopy and biochemistry and compared to liver pathology in eels exposed to the chemical spill into the Rhine river at Basle in November 1986. Whereas phenological parameters (growth, condition factor) are unaffected, ultrastructural and biochemical alterations are detectable at greater than or equal to 50 and 5 micrograms/liter DNOC, respectively. Structural modifications include: rounding-up of the nuclei; fractionation and reduction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum; proliferation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), mitochondria, peroxisomes, and lysosomes; bundles of rod-shaped SER profiles; annulate lamellae; membrane whorls within mitochondria; crystallization of the peroxisomal matrix and glycogen bodies; glycogen depletion and lipid augmentation. Structural changes can be correlated to an increase in hepatic lipid and protein contents as well as stimulation of mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase), peroxisomal (catalase, allantoinase, uricase), lysosomal (arylsulfatase), and microsomal (esterase) enzymes. An increase in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome P450 as well as UDP-glucuronyltransferase and arylsulfotransferase activities in the microsomal fraction document an induction of hepatic biotransformation as a functional correlate to SER proliferation. Maximum inducibility of biotransformation enzymes at 50 micrograms/liter indicates a biphasic, concentration-dependent reaction of eel liver. Comparison of DNOC-induced effects with liver pathology in eel exposed to the chemical spill in 1986 reveals striking similarities so that DNOC may not be excluded as a possible factor in the fish kill in the Rhine river.

• OSTI ID: 5458371
• Journal Information: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; (United States), Journal Name: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; (United States) Vol. 21:2; ISSN EESAD; ISSN 0147-6513
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL NUCLEI
CHEMICAL SPILLS
CRESOLS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
EEL
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
FISHES
GLANDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LIVER
LYSOSOMES
MICROSCOPY
MITOCHONDRIA
MIXED-FUNCTION OXIDASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
OXYGENASES
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHENOLS
POLLUTION
RHINE RIVER
RIVERS
SENSITIVITY
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
TRANSFERASES
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION