New tools to detect the quality of cultured european sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

Sensitivity of cholinesterase activities in Ciona intestinalis ascidian to in vitro exposure to organophosphate pesticide azamethiphos

Developmental toxicity of Bisfenol A (BPA) in Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata)

A biochemical study of the effects of tributyltin on unfertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis

We have used unfertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata) to study the effects of tributyltin (TBT) on acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Our results showed an increase of AChE enzyme activity levels after TBT exposure in both unfertilized eggs and embryos. The effects of TBT were more pronounced during the gastrula stage, while no differences between exposed larvae and controls were observed. A mechanism of TBT action on enzyme activity during ascidian embryonic development and the possibility of employing AChE in C. intestinalis as a biomarker of TBT exposure are suggested and discussed.

Comparative analyses of chemical, trophic and microbiological variables in sediments from an Eastern Sicilian port: differences in spatial accumulation

Spatial variations in habitat use and food habits of juvenile and adult fishes in a mangal ecosystem (Gazi Bay, Kenya)

APOPTOSIS IN ASCIDIAN LARVAE AFTER TRIBUTYLTIN-CHLORIDE TREATMENT

Acetylcholinesterase activity in juvenileCiona intestinalis(Ascidiacea, Urochordata) after exposure to tributyltin

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity has been studied in 4-day post-fertilization juveniles of Ciona intestinalis exposed to tributyltin (TBT) at 10-5 M using the histochemical method of Karnovsky and Roots. Relative to vertebrate tissues and organs, the development of adult form of ascidians is interesting, because the analysis of many nuclear genes indicated that the ascidians are the closest living relatives of the vertebrates. Therefore, toxicity research using different approaches could provide data for comparative studies with vertebrates. AChE is over-expressed under chemical stress and in some diseases of vertebrates. Therefore, AChE is considered a biomarker of environmental co…

The role of seagrasses as biological barriers against riverine anthropic input in coastal marine ecosystems

Bisphenol A (BPA) and atrazine inhibit the embryonic development ofCiona intestinalis(Ascidiacea, Urochordata)

The toxicities of bisphenol A (BPA) and atrazine in Ciona intestinalis development were examined in two separate series of experiments. The fertilized eggs were exposed to BPA or atrazine at concen...

Further data on expression of acetylcholinesterase during oogenesis and embryonic development of Ciona intestinalis and Ascidia malaca (Ascidiacea,Urochordata): a biochemical and histochemical study

Effects of sublethal levels of tributyltin chloride on a new toxicity test organism,Liza saliens (osteichthyes, mugilidae): a histological study

The histopathological effects of 10−7 and 10−9M tributyltin(IV)chloride,TBTCl, solutions on different Liza saliens organs have been studied by light microscope. The fish were sacrificed after 3–4 h incubation in 10−7M TBTCl solution or after 15 days incubation in 10−9M solution. The observed histopathological changes were dose- and time-dependent. The 10−7M TBTCl concentration resulted in major damage to the gill epithelium, indicating that TBTCl primarily interfered with the respiration, osmoregulation, acid balance and nitrogenous waste excretion processes. After incubation in 10−9M TBTCl solution the fish lived 20 or more days, but many of the organs were altered. Thymus atrophy, reduced…

Lipid and fatty acid variations inCiona intestinalis ovary after tri-n-butyltin(IV)chloride exposure

Reduction of total lipids (TL) content and significant variations of triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) fractions were observed as a consequence of exposure of Ciona intestinalis ovaries to tributyltin chloride (TBTCL) solutions. In particular, an evident TG decrease and a PL increase were observed, which probably provoked an increment in membrane fluidity, because of the high concentration of long chain fatty acids and, as a consequence, PL. This could be a cell adaptive standing mechanism towards the pollutants, as observed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Also the increase in the content of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), important in the synthesis of compounds such as prostagla…

Tissue bioaccumulation patterns, xenobiotic biotransformation and steroid hormone levels in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed a diet containing perfluoroactane sulfonic or perfluorooctane carboxylic acids.

In the present study, groups of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed gelatine capsules containing fish-food spiked with PFOA or PFOS (0.2 mg kg(-1) fish) and solvent (methanol). The capsules were given at days 0, 3 and 6. Blood, liver and whole kidney samples were collected prior to exposure (no solvent control), and at days 2, 5, 8 and 14 after exposure (Note: that day 14 after exposure is equal to 7d recovery period). We report on the differences in the tissue bioaccumulation patterns of PFOS and PFOA, in addition to tissue and compound differences in modulation pattern of biotransformation enzyme genes. We observed that the level of PFOS and PFOA increased in the blood, liver …

Effects of sublethal levels of tributyltin chloride on a new toxicity test organism, Liza saliens (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae)

The histopathological effects of 10−7 and 10−9 M tributyltin(IV)chloride,TBTCl, solutions on different Liza saliens organs have been studied by light microscope. The fish were sacrificed after 3–4 h incubation in 10−7 M TBTCl solution or after 15 days incubation in 10−9 M solution. The observed histopathological changes were dose- and time-dependent. The 10−7 M TBTCl concentration resulted in major damage to the gill epithelium, indicating that TBTCl primarily interferedwith the respiration, osmoregulation, acid balance and nitrogenous waste excretion processes. After incubation in 10−9 M TBTCl solution the fish lived 20 or more days, but many of the organs were altered. Thymus atrophy, red…

Influence of environmental and farm conditions on Dicentrarchus labrax L.reared in three different fish farms

Screening of ecotoxicological, qualitative and reproductive variables in male European sea bassDicentrarchus labrax(L.) reared in three different fish farms: Facility location and typology

The aim of this work was to do a preliminary seasonal screening of ecotoxicological biomarkers in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax in three different fish farms, to know if the different location and typology can discriminate them. A set of selected biomarkers of xenobiotic exposure, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Glutathione (GSH) and gonad morphology were investigated seasonally in male European sea bass D. labrax (L.) reared in three different intensive farms: a land-based farm of cement tanks (T), an in-shore sea cages farm (C1) and an off-shore sea cages farm (C2). The results showed that both location and typology can discriminate AChE activity, GSH content and go…

Effects of tributyltinchloride (TBT-Cl) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in unfertilized eggs and embryos of sea squirt Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata)

Further data on expression of acetylcholinesterase in female gamete, embryos and larva of Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata)

Sex hormone profiles in Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea Urochordata) and their modulation by Tributyltin (TBT)

Histochemical localisation of acetylcholinesterase activity in ovary and embryos of Ciona intestinalis and Ascidia malaca (Ascidiacea, Urochordata) after exposition to trybutyltin-chloride

A GC-MS method for hormone analysis and modulation of ovarian histology and steroidogenic genes by TBT and Bisphenol-A in Ciona intestinalis

Preliminary identification and quantification of steroid hormones in the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

In the present preliminary study, we used a gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) method to identify and quantify steroid hormones, their precursors and metabolites in whole body of red palm weevil (RPW) R. ferrugineus adults. We identified a total of seven steroids by single ion monitoring mode (SIM) analysis and compared them to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. The steroids include: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrone, estradiol-17β, testosterone, progesterone, cortisol and cholesterol, whereas pregnenolone, pregnan-20-one-17-hydroxy and corticosterone were not detected. This study shows that some invertebrate groups seem to use partially or tot…

Seasonal screening of AChE, GSH and gonad histology, in European sea bassDicentrarchus labraxL. reared in three different fish farms

The aim of this work was to do a preliminary seasonal screening of ecotoxicological biomarkers in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax in three different fish farms, to know if the different location and typology can discriminate them. A set of selected biomarkers of xenobiotic exposure, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Glutathione (GSH) and gonad morphology were investigated seasonally in male European sea bass D. labrax (L.) reared in three different intensive farms: a land-based farm of cement tanks (T), an in-shore sea cages farm (C1) and an off-shore sea cages farm (C2). The results showed that both location and typology can discriminate AChE activity, GSH content and go…

Cholinesterases in Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata): preliminary investigation of their potential as tools for monitoring marine pollution

Resti faunistici dal castro normanno di Calathamet (XIII sec d. C., Sicilia Nord-occidentale)

V.Cangialosi,I.Corsi,S.Bonacci,C.Sensini, E.Puccia,S.Focardi and A.Mazzola Influence of environmental and farm conditions on Dicentrarchus labrax L.reared in three different fish farms

Dispersal and accumulation of mariculture waste in the surrounding environment: the importance of site selection

Azione dell'acido domoico sull'attività colinesterasica di Tapes philippinarum, Venus gallina, Glycimeri glycimeris (Lamellibranchia, Mollusca) e Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata)

Screening of Ovarian steroidogenic pathway in Ciona intestinalis and its modulation after Tributyltin exposure

In this study, we have identified several ovarian steroids in Ciona with high similarity to vertebrate steroids and showed that cholesterol, corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, estrone, estradiol-17beta, testosterone, pregnenolone, progesterone, have identical molecular spectra with vertebrate steroids. In addition, we have studied the effects of an endocrine disruptor (tributyltin: TBT) on these sex hormones and their precursors, ovarian morphology, and gene expression of some key enzymes in steroidogenic pathway in the ovary of Ciona. Ovarian specimens were cultured in vitro using different concentrations of TBT (10{sup -5}, 10{sup -4} and 10{sup -3} M). Ethanol was used as solvent co…

Evidence for endocrine disruption of tributyltin chloride in ovary of Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata)

Organometallic complexes with biological molecules. XV. Effects of tributyltin(IV)chloride on enzyme activity, Ca2+, and biomolecule and synthesis inCiona intestinalis (Urochordata) ovary

Considerable attention has been given in recent years to the possibility that xenobiotics in the environment may affect reproduction in animals. In this study, the relative impact of tributyltin(IV) (TBT) chloride, one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, was investigated using Ciona intestinalis ovary as a model system. The pleiotropic effects of TBT exposure are concentration dependent and include a decrease of ATP levels, lipid content and nucleic acid content and synthesis. In contrast, a marked increase in calcium (Ca2+) and glucose content is observed. Furthermore, TBT alters enzymatic activity, inhibiting creatine kinase and stimulating alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase …

Biotossine nei Mitili: Effetti dell’Acido Domoico sull’attività colinesterasica in Tapes philippinarum, Venus gallina e Glycimeris glycimeris (Lamellibranchia, Mollusca)

L’acido domoico (AD) è una biotossina che si accumula principalmente in animali che filtrano acque contaminate da diatomee dei generi Nitzschia e Pseudo-nitschia. L’incremento delle fioriture di diatomee ed i conseguenti casi di intossicazione per ingestione di molluschi contaminati sono fenomeni che da più di un decennio si manifestano anche in Italia, rappresentando motivo di seria preoccupazione per la salute pubblica e per l’economia dell’industria ittica. L’acido domoico è il responsabile dell’“Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning” (ASP), i cui sintomi si manifestano sia a livello gastrointestinale che neurologico. Le proprietà neurotossiche dell'acido domoico sono dovute alla sua azione agonis…