205 - Gambusia Punctata (Poeciliidae) as Alternative Biomodel in Oxidative Stress Evaluation for Ecotoxicological and Pharmaceutical Applications

Abstract

Background Fish are sensitive organisms to changes caused by oxidative stress inducing agents, due to expression of biological changes based on the quality of the environment at cellular, individual, populations or community level. Objective To evaluate Gambusia punctata as an alternative biomodel for evaluating physiological response facing oxidative stress and changes in cell REDOX potential. Method Different criteria were analyzed: ubiquitous distribution, easy taxonomic identification, appropriate size, limited mobility, relatively long life cycle, trophic chain position, ecological relevance, tolerance to contamination and acceptable survival facing environmental variations, easy capture and handling for laboratory studies and proven correlation between environmental pollution and physiological response due to metals, inorganic and organic pollutants bioaccumulation, among others. Results Molecular biomarkers response assessed for G. punctata is consistent for regular assessment of cell damage and antioxidant response determinations. Increase in multi-pollutants levels for the initial “in situ” evaluation, followed by Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), was positively correlated with molecular determinations (total dissolved proteins, NAD(P)H, H2O2, ascorbate, like-MDA reaction products) and physiological changes. Ionic strength increase in historic records is mainly based in freshwater bodies content of Na+, K+, Cl–, Mg2+, SO42–, HCO3–, NO3–, NO2–, NH4+, PO43–, and significant and persistent content in metals through water course such as Al, Ni and Mo due to anthropic effects. Biomarkers response reflects the cell damage for G. punctata and its antioxidant response. These initial results reveal this fish potentiality as alternative oxidative stress biomodel. Molecular criteria are useful for both, “in situ” evaluation for biomonitoring ecosystems health, “in vitro” early analytical stages of toxicological studies for drugs and chemical exposure and pharmaceutical studies. Conclusion G. punctata fulfil basic standards for its use as alternative biomodel, allowing oxidative stress evaluation due to its adaptative response.