Ultrastructural changes induced by benzo(a)pyrene in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) liver and intestine: Importance of the intoxication route

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Environmental Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80019-2· OSTI ID:7278903

Lemaire, P; Lafaurie, M ^[1]; Berhaut, J ^[2]; Lemaire-Gony, S ^[3]

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1. Faculte de Medecine, Nice (France)
2. Univ. de Nice (France)
3. Faculte des Sciences, Perpignan (France)

The ultrastructural effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) liver and intestine were studied after experimental intoxication by two different routes: intraperitoneal injection and force-feeding. In both hepatocytes and enterocytes, the main structural perturbations concerned a large development of both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a great increase in the number of vacuoles and lysosomes in BaP-treated fish. After 17 days of contamination, some nuclear changes were observed, indicating the high reactivity of BaP metabolites which form covalent adducts with DNA and the long-term toxicity of this compound. However, in the intestine, after force-feeding intoxication, more perturbations were seen, particularly concerning the mitochondria. Both organs were altered in a different way with respect to the intoxication route. In BaP intraperitoneal injected fish, the liver was the first injured organ and presented heavier injuries than intestine. In force-feeding treated fish, the intestinal epithelium was the first concerned tissue and it was highly modified after BaP intoxication. The importance of the intoxication pathway in the effects of BaP on liver and intestine was discussed with special reference to their role in BaP uptake, metabolism, and distribution in the organism.

• OSTI ID: 7278903
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (United States) Vol. 57:1; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• 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.
ADDUCTS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AROMATICS
BENZOPYRENE
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DNA ADDUCTS
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
EPITHELIUM
FISHES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GLANDS
HYDROCARBONS
INJECTION
INTAKE
INTESTINES
INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION
LIVER
METABOLISM
METABOLITES
MITOCHONDRIA
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
SENSITIVITY
TISSUES
TOXICITY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES