Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Gambusia yucatana, an Endemic Fish from Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the acute exposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in four different concentrations (4.37, 8.73, 17.46, 34.95 µg L⁻¹) in Gambusia yucatana, an endemic fish of the Yucatán Peninsula by the characterization of the biomarkers activities: EROD, GST, TBARS, SOD, CAT, and GPx on liver; and AChE on brain. EROD and GST activities increased 292% and 754%, respectively, at the highest concentration (p < 0.0001). TBARS decreased 51%, 49%, and 36% in the three last concentrations (p < 0.0001). SOD activity increased 56% at the highest concentration (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the GPx activity at any treatments. CAT activity decreased 85% at the highest concentration (p < 0.005). AChE activity decreased at all treatments (p < 0.0001). We concluded that PAHs are bioaccumulated and metabolized in G. yucatana mainly at a concentration of 34.95 µg L⁻¹; SOD and GPx activities were affected during exposure period compared to the control, indicating the possible mechanism of oxidative stress and AChE could be a good indicator of exposure to PAHs. Finally, we believe that our results could be very useful for the development of G. yucatana conservation strategies.

Keywords:

• Biomarkers
• biotransformation
• neurotoxicity
• oxidative stress
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Erik Javier Pech for the carefully help with the laboratory’s work and Jorge Alejandro Kurczyn Robledo for carefully help with the building of the graphics, as well as the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT), México to Institute of Ecology, Fisheries and Oceanography of the Gulf of Mexico (EPOMEX) to Dzul-Caamal R. and National Institute of Science and Technology in Comparative Physiology (INCT- Fisiologia Comparada) to Cruz A.L. Aguilar L. acknowledges a scholarship from the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Finance Code 001, and Foundation for Research Support of the State of Bahia (FAPESB) as well as the Laboratory of Ecotoxicology of EPOMEX.