Bioaccumulation and Oxidative Stress Induced by Organometallic and Ionic Tin Compounds in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025 Apr 1;114(4):58. doi: 10.1007/s00128-025-04031-y.

Abstract

Tin, a heavy metal, in trace amounts is believed to play various roles in the biological development of fish, including involvement in cell structure, enzyme activities, and the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. Two endocrine-disrupting chemicals, Tributyltin (TBT) and Triphenyltin (TPT), are prevalent in aquatic environments. This study examines the bioaccumulation of these compounds and their impact on oxidative stress enzymes. Zebrafish embryos were used to assess the acute toxicity of TBT, TPT, and SnCl2. Toxicity tests were conducted on fertilized eggs using different concentrations of TBT, TPT, and SnCl2 (0, 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ng/L). The LC50, 96 h values for TBT, TPT, and SnCl2 in zebrafish embryos were 4.2, 8.7, and 12.56 ng/L, respectively. The study found an increase in the catalase (CAT) superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) for TBT, TPT, and SnCl2. Moreover, TBT showed higher bioaccumulation than other compounds. The mortality rate was higher in embryos exposed to TBT, suggesting that embryos are more susceptible to TBT and can induce oxidative stress and disrupt the antioxidant equilibrium..

Keywords: Lethal concentration. Oxidative stress. Tributyltin. Triphenyl tin. Zebrafish.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bioaccumulation
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Endocrine Disruptors / metabolism
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Organotin Compounds* / metabolism
  • Organotin Compounds* / toxicity
  • Oxidative Stress* / drug effects
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Tin Compounds* / metabolism
  • Tin Compounds* / toxicity
  • Trialkyltin Compounds / metabolism
  • Trialkyltin Compounds / toxicity
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity
  • Zebrafish* / embryology
  • Zebrafish* / metabolism

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Organotin Compounds
  • Trialkyltin Compounds
  • tributyltin
  • triphenyltin
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Tin Compounds
  • Catalase
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Endocrine Disruptors