Biochemical and histopathological responses of Wistar rats to oral intake of microcystins and cyanobacterial biomass
Language English Country Sweden Media print
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
24362087
PII: NEL341013A02
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Liver drug effects pathology MeSH
- Carcinogens toxicity MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Kidney drug effects pathology MeSH
- Microcystins toxicity MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Food Chain MeSH
- Cyanobacteria chemistry MeSH
- Spleen drug effects pathology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Carcinogens MeSH
- Microcystins MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Cyanobacteria are producers of potent and environmentally abundant microcystins, representing an emerging global health issue. In the present study, we investigated the impact of pure microcystins and cyanobacterial biomass on laboratory rats (Wistar albino rats, males, 30 days old) under different exposure scenarios. METHODS: The rats were fed diets containing fish meat with microcystins in various concentrations and forms (cyanobacterial biomass and isolated microcystins) for 28 days. RESULTS: Although considerable amounts of microcystins (MCs) were administered to the rats, all levels of MCs in the liver were close to the detection limit (3-5 ng/g fresh weight) using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. Only rats exposed to cyanobacterial biomass had clearly higher hepatic and splenic somatic indexes while markers of oxidative stress (glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidatio) were significantly increased in the group exposed to the high dose of MCs. Most of the analysed biochemical parameters did not show clear differences among groups. Levels of bilirubin and lipases were significantly increased only after exposure to cyanobacterial biomass and MCs, respectively. Considering microscopic findings in the liver, kidney, thymus, spleen and brain, histopathology was dominated by alterations in the hepatic parenchyma and renal cortical tubular system. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that oral exposure to MCs and cyanobacterial biomass may induce biochemical and detoxification responses associated with damage to liver and kidneys and in the laboratory rat.
