Pesticides can enter aquatic environments potentially affecting non-target organisms. Unfortunately, the effects of such substances are still poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of the active neonicotinoid substance thiacloprid (TH) and the commercial product Calypso 480 SC (CA) (active compound 40.4% TH) on Mytilus galloprovincialis after short-term exposure to sublethal concentrations. Mussels were tested for seven days to 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg L-1 TH and 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg L-1 CA. For this purpose, several parameters, such as cell viability of haemocytes and digestive cells, biochemical haemolymph features, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activity of gills and digestive gland, as well as histology of such tissues were analysed. The sublethal concentrations of both substances lead to abatement or completely stopping the byssal fibres creation. Biochemical analysis of haemolymph showed significant changes (P < 0.01) in electrolytes ions (Cl-, K+, Na+, Ca2+, S-phosphor), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activity and glucose concentration following exposure to both substances. The TH-exposed mussels showed significant imbalance (P < 0.05) in CAT activity in digestive gland and gills. CA caused significant decrease (P < 0.05) in SOD activity in gills and in CAT activity in both tissues. Results of histological analyses showed severe damage in both digestive gland and gills in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This study provides useful information about the acute toxicity of a neonicotinoid compound and a commercial insecticide on mussels. Nevertheless, considering that neonicotinoids are still widely used and that mussels are very important species for marine environment and human consumption, further researches are needed to better comprehend the potential risk posed by such compounds to aquatic non-target species.

• MeSH
• Water Pollutants, Chemical toxicity   MeSH
• Hemocytes drug effects   MeSH
• Hemolymph drug effects   MeSH
• Insecticides toxicity   MeSH
• Catalase metabolism   MeSH
• Mytilus drug effects   MeSH
• Neonicotinoids toxicity   MeSH
• Superoxide Dismutase metabolism   MeSH
• Toxicity Tests, Acute MeSH
• Thiazines toxicity   MeSH
• Cell Survival MeSH
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug MeSH
• Gills drug effects   enzymology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The Gulf of Follonica (Italy) is impacted by the chemical pollution from ancient mining activity and present industrial processes. This study was aimed to determine the bioavailability of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) in coastal marine environment and to assess the genotoxic potential of waste waters entering the sea from an industrial canal. Moderately high levels of DCLs compounds (∑ PCDDs + PCDFs 2.18–29.00 pg/g dry wt) were detected in Mytilus galloprovincialis transplanted near the waste waters canal and their corresponding Toxic Equivalents (TEQs) calculated. In situ exposed mussels did not show any genotoxic effect (by Comet and Micronucleus assay). Otherwise, laboratory exposure to canal waters exhibited a reduced genomic template stability (by RAPD-PCR assay) but not DNA or chromosomal damage. Our data reveal the need to focus on the levels and distribution of DLCs in edible species from the study area considering their potential transfer to humans through the consumption of sea food.

• MeSH
• Biological Availability MeSH
• Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis   toxicity   MeSH
• Dioxins analysis   toxicity   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring methods   MeSH
• Mutagens analysis   chemistry   toxicity   MeSH
• Mytilus drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Italy MeSH

• MeSH
• Antioxidants therapeutic use   MeSH
• Chondroitin administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Diet Therapy * classification   methods   utilization   MeSH
• Glucosamine administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Collagen administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Hyaluronic Acid administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Plants, Medicinal MeSH
• Mytilus edulis MeSH
• Joint Diseases * drug therapy   MeSH
• Cat Diseases MeSH
• Dog Diseases MeSH
• Plant Oils therapeutic use   MeSH
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 administration & dosage   adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Persea MeSH
• Dietary Supplements * classification   utilization   MeSH
• Statistics as Topic MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH

Despite the growing concern over the potential biological impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the aquatic environment, little is known about their interactions with other pollutants. The bivalve Mytilus sp, largely utilized as a sentinel for marine contamination, has been shown to represent a significant target for different types of NP, including n-TiO2, one of the most widespread in use. In this work, the possible interactive effects of n-TiO2 and 2,3,7,8-TCDD, chosen as models of NP and organic contaminant, respectively, were investigated in Mytilus galloprovincialis. In vitro experiments with n-TiO2 and TCDD, alone and in combination, were carried out in different conditions (concentrations and times of exposure), depending on the target (hemocytes, gill cells and biopsies) and the endpoint measured. Mussels were also exposed in vivo to n-TiO2 (100 μg L(-1)) or to TCDD (0.25 μg L(-1)), alone and in combination, for 96 h. A wide range of biomarkers, from molecular to tissue level, were measured: lysosomal membrane stability and phagocytosis in hemocytes, ATP-binding cassette efflux transporters in gills (gene transcription and efflux activity), several biomarkers of genotoxicity in gill and digestive cells (DNA damage, random amplified polymorphic DNA-RAPD changes), lysosomal biomarkers and transcription of selected genes in the digestive gland. The results demonstrate that n-TiO2 and TCDD can exert synergistic or antagonistic effects, depending on experimental condition, cell/tissue and type of measured response. Some of these interactions may result from a significant increase in TCDD accumulation in whole mussel organisms in the presence of n-TiO2, indicating a Trojan horse effect. The results represent the most extensive data obtained so far on the sub-lethal effects of NPs and organic contaminants in aquatic organisms. Moreover, these data extend the knowledge on the molecular and cellular targets of NPs in bivalves.

• MeSH
• Biomarkers analysis   MeSH
• Water Pollutants, Chemical metabolism   toxicity   MeSH
• Phagocytosis drug effects   MeSH
• Hemocytes drug effects   MeSH
• Drug Interactions MeSH
• Lysosomes drug effects   MeSH
• Mytilus drug effects   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Nanoparticles toxicity   MeSH
• Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins metabolism   toxicity   MeSH
• DNA Damage drug effects   MeSH
• Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique MeSH
• Titanium toxicity   MeSH
• Gills drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

For over 30 years empirical studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the biosynthesis of morphine by diverse animal and human tissues occurs. Recently, the blue mussel's neural tissues and human white blood cells were used to demonstrate the de novo biosynthesis of morphine for small precursor molecules derived from the aromatic amino acid L-tyrosine. Because catecholamine precursors, i.e., L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), were also found to be utilized as morphine precursors, a novel reciprocally interactive mechanism is apparent that links catecholamine and opioid pathways in the activation and inhibition of diverse tissue responses. Additionally, these observations provide new insights into morphinergic signalling that transcend analgesia and addiction. We have also linked the biological effects of nitric oxide into a common effect in endogenous morphine signalling. Given the singular importance of dopamine and morphine's interaction in the CNS, the presence and association of this signalling with nitric oxide all promises to provide novel answers for mental health phenomena, which have been lacking because of the inability in accepting the empirical endogenous morphine studies.

• MeSH
• Dopamine pharmacology   MeSH
• Catecholamines metabolism   MeSH
• Leukocytes metabolism   MeSH
• Levodopa metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Morphine biosynthesis   pharmacology   MeSH
• Mytilus edulis metabolism   MeSH
• Opioid Peptides metabolism   MeSH
• Nitric Oxide pharmacology   MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Tyrosine metabolism   MeSH
• Morphine Dependence psychology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH