Histological, oxidative and immune changes in response to 9,10-phenanthrenequione, retene and phenanthrene in Takifugu obscurus liver

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are typical pollutants and may be alkylated and oxygenated to form alkyl-PAHs and oxygenated-PAHs (oxy-PAHs), respectively. Takifugu obscurus is an important anadromous fish species and displays a high risk of being exposed to PAHs-contaminated areas. In the present study, the effects of acute exposure to 44.29 µg L−1 9,10-phenanthrenequione (9,10-PQ), retene and phenanthrene (Phe) on T. obscurus liver histology, antioxidant enzymes and immune indices were compared. After exposure to these three compounds, histological sections showed damages of hepatocyte, and the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase increased in plasma, indicating direct hepatic toxicity. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased, but superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities decreased in response to treatments with Phe, retene and 9,10-PQ. These results revealed peroxidative effects on T. obscurus hepatocytes. In addition, total immunoglobulin content and lysozyme activity in plasma increased in treatments with Phe, retene and 9,10-PQ, which might be resulted from the damaged liver cells and the subsequently hepatic inflammation. Besides, the changes were more severe in treatment with 9,10-PQ than those with Phe and retene, demonstrating higher toxicity of 9,10-PQ than the other two compounds. Overall, the present study posed a high environmental risk of PAH derivatives to aquatic ecosystems.