Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Alter Serum Biochemical Indices, Induce Histopathological Alterations, and Modulate Transcription of Cytokines, HSP70, and Oxidative Stress Genes in Oreochromis niloticus.

Hany M R Abdel-Latif,Mahmoud A O Dawood,Mohamed A Khallaf,Hanan A Ghetas,Ahmed E Noreldin,Mustafa Shukry,Samy F Mahmoud

doi:10.3390/ani11030652

Abstract

Simple SummaryCopper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) are increasingly manufactured because of their wide range of biomedical uses and industrial applications. Nonetheless, their release into the aquatic ecosystems is predictably increased, which will sequentially induce serious toxicological influences on the exposed aquatic biota. Several research studies have been published on CuONPs toxicity in fish; however, the mechanisms of their toxicity at the molecular levels in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are not completely described. The current study investigated the influences of sub-lethal CuONPs levels on serum biochemical indices, histopathological alterations, and transcriptomic responses in the hepatic and gill tissues of Nile tilapia juveniles.In the present study, fish were exposed to sub-lethal doses of CuONPs (68.92 ± 3.49 nm) (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, and 50 mg/L) for a long exposure period (25 days). Compared to the control group (0.0 mg/L CuONPs), a significant dose-dependent elevation in blood urea and creatinine values, serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities were evident in CuONPs-exposed groups (p < 0.05). Fish exposure to 50 mg/L CuONPs significantly upregulated the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin 12, and interleukin 8), heat shock protein 70, apoptosis-related gene (caspase 3), and oxidative stress-related (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) genes in liver and gills of the exposed fish in comparison with those in the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, varying histopathological injuries were noticed in the hepatopancreatic tissues, posterior kidneys, and gills of fish groups correlated to the tested exposure dose of CuONPs. In summary, our results provide new insights and helpful information for better understanding the mechanisms of CuONPs toxicity in Nile tilapia at hematological, molecular levels, and tissue levels.

Highlights

A wide range of nanotechnology-based industrial products and applications have existed since the beginning of the nanotechnology industry [1,2]
The present study describes the sub-lethal effects of waterborne exposure of CuONPs on serum biochemical indices, histopathological alterations of the exposed Nile tilapia and the transcriptomic profile analysis of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis- and oxidative stress-related genes in gills and liver
The characteristics of the CuONPs sample used in the present study showed that the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images declared the morphological information of CuONPs had an irregular nanorod shaped particles with a relatively uniform size distribution (Figure S1) with an average size distribution was 68.92 ± 3.49 nm

Summary

Introduction

A wide range of nanotechnology-based industrial products and applications have existed since the beginning of the nanotechnology industry [1,2]. From MONMs, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have gained great interest because of their wide range of beneficial biomedical applications [4], diagnostic imaging [5], catalytic, electric, and optical properties [6,7], and biocidal, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities [8,9]. They are present in numerous industrial applications, including sensors [10], antifouling paints [11], and printing inks [12]. Previous studies showed that the toxicological effects of CuONPs in fish are generally affected by the particle size and the application method [17] and the agglomeration, dissolution, and concentration of nanoparticles in the exposure media [18]

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