Neutralization of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticle aquatoxicity on Oncorhynchus mykiss via supplementation with ulexite

Abstract

Nowadays, the unique features of nanoparticles (NPs) have encouraged new applications in different areas including biology, medicine, agriculture, and electronics. Their quick joining into daily life not only enhances the uses of NPs in a wide range of modern technologies but also their release into the aquatic environment causes inevitable environmental concerns. On the other hand boron exhibits key physiological effects on biological systems. This research was designed for evaluating the toxicity of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-MNPs) on aquatic organisms and obtaining data for the information gap in this area. In this study, Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was considered as an aquatic indicator, and trials were designed as Ulexite (a boron mineral, UX) treatment against exposure to Fe₃O₄-MNPs. Synthesized and characterized Fe₃O₄-MNPs were exposed to rainbow trouts in wide spectrum concentrations (0.005–0.08 mL/L) to analyze its lethal dose (LC₅₀) and cytoprotective properties by UX treatment were assessed against Fe₃O₄-MNPs applications for 96 h. For the initial toxicity analysis, hematological parameters (blood cell counts) were examined in experimental groups and micronucleus (MN) assay was performed to monitor nuclear abnormalities after exposure to NPs. Biochemical analyzes in both blood and liver samples were utilized to assess antioxidant/oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters. Also, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) assay was used to investigate oxidative DNA lesions and Caspase-3 analysis was performed on both blood and liver tissues to monitor apoptotic cell death occurrence. When antioxidant enzymes in blood and liver tissue were examined, time-dependent decreases in activity were determined in SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH enzymes, while increased levels of MDA and MPO parameters were observed in respect to Fe₃O₄-MNPs exposure. It was found that TNF-α, Il-6 levels were enhanced against Fe₃O₄-MNPs treatment, but Nrf-2 levels were decreased at the 46th and 96th h. In the 96th application results, all parameters were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in blood and liver tissue, except for the IL-6 results. It was determined that the frequency of MN, the level of 8-OHdG and caspase-3 activity increased in respect to Fe₃O₄-MNPs exposure over time. Treatment with UX alleviated Fe3O4-MNPs-induced hematotoxic and hepatotoxic alterations as well as oxidative and genetic damages. Our findings offer strong evidence for the use of UX as promising, safe and natural protective agents against environmental toxicity of magnetite nanoparticles.

Keywords:

• Boron
• ulexite
• magnetite nanoparticles
• nanotoxicity
• O. mykiss
• hematological parameters
• genotoxic damage
• oxidative stress
• protective effect

Acknowledgement

We thank all authors for their assistance with this research and Application Centre and Laboratories of Atatürk University Fisheries Faculty.

Ethical approval

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All conditions (stocking density, water parameters, etc.) were designed according to the welfare-related assessments, suitable for O. mykiss.

Ethics committee

The trials with the rainbow trout were approved by Ataturk University Local Ethical Committee for Animal Studies (approved in 28.12.2021, Acceptance No:11). The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.