Tissue distribution, bioconcentration, metabolism, and effects of erythromycin in crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

Sci Total Environ. 2014 Aug 15:490:914-20. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.055. Epub 2014 Jun 6.

Abstract

In this study, the tissue distribution, bioconcentration, metabolism and biological effects of the macrolide antibiotic erythromycin (ERY) were investigated in fish using crucian carp (Carassius auratus) as a model. Crucian carp were exposed to various concentrations of ERY (4, 20, and 100 μg/L) for 28 days. The UPLC/MS/MS analysis of both water and tissue provided the bioconcentration of ERY and its metabolites in the fish body. The results from tissue samples showed that a maximum tissue concentration occurred in the muscle and that the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 72.2 was lower than the theoretical BCF of 90.4 calculated from the octanol-water coefficient of ERY. A significant portion of the absorbed ERY was metabolized via demethylation and dehydration and observed in the form of descladinose in fish. In addition, the relevant biomarkers, including acetylcholinesterase in the brain, as well as 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and superoxide dismutase in the liver, changed significantly during 28 days of exposure (P<0.05). These results clearly indicated that ERY accumulated in fish and that similar metabolites as those observed in mammals were produced, resulting in the biochemical disturbance of biological systems.

Keywords: Bioconcentration; Biomarker; Erythromycin; Metabolites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / toxicity
  • Carps / metabolism
  • Erythromycin / metabolism*
  • Erythromycin / toxicity
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Erythromycin
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Acetylcholinesterase