Chronic chlorpyrifos exposure induces oxidative stress, apoptosis and immune dysfunction in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Liulan Zhao; Gang Tang; Chen Xiong; Shuaishuai Han; Chunping Yang; Kuo He; Qiao Liu; Jie Luo; Wei Luo; Yan Wang; Zhiqiong Li; Song Yang

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117010

Chronic chlorpyrifos exposure induces oxidative stress, apoptosis and immune dysfunction in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Environ Pollut. 2021 Aug 1:282:117010. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117010. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Authors

Liulan Zhao¹, Gang Tang¹, Chen Xiong¹, Shuaishuai Han¹, Chunping Yang², Kuo He¹, Qiao Liu¹, Jie Luo¹, Wei Luo¹, Yan Wang¹, Zhiqiong Li¹, Song Yang³

Affiliations

¹ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.
² College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
³ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China. Electronic address: ysys210@hotmail.com.

PMID: 33848913
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117010

Abstract

This study was undertaken to (a) evaluate the destructive effects of chronic exposure to low-dose of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on antioxidant system and immune function in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and (b) to examine whether dietary supplementation of curcumin can mitigate the adverse effects induced by CPF contamination. The experiment consisted of three groups (with three replicates, 30 fish per replicate) which lasted for 60 days: A control group (without CPF exposure or CU application), CP group (exposed to 0.004 mg/L of CPF), and CU group (exposed to 0.004 mg/L of CPF and fed a diet containing 100 mg curcumin per kg feed). The results showed that CPF contamination leads to reduced weight gain, severe histopathological lesions, decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and down-regulated expression of antioxidant-related genes. Moreover, CPF upregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as TNF-α, IL-8, IL-15, downregulated anti-inflammatory genes TGF-β1, IL-10, and promoted apoptosis through overexpression of Caspase-3, Caspase-8, caspase-9 and Bax. In addition, curcumin supplementation showed significant improvement in oxidative stress, apoptosis and immune dysfunction, but the improved effect gradually weakened during the exposure last. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis for accumulation of CPF in muscle supported the changes of general physiological structure, excessive apoptotic responses, abnormal antioxidant and immune system functions and posed potential human health risks to children based on target hazard quotient. These results suggested that chronic exposure to CPF can cause oxidative stress, apoptosis and immune dysfunction, and that curcumin have the potential to reduce pesticides residues in fish. This also highlights the importance of monitoring pesticides residues in aquatic products and aquaculture aquatic environments.

Keywords: Aquaculture; Bioaccumulation; Ecotoxicology; Micropterus salmoides; Pesticides.

MeSH terms

Animals
Antioxidants
Apoptosis
Bass*
Child
Chlorpyrifos* / toxicity
Humans
Oxidative Stress

Substances

Antioxidants
Chlorpyrifos