Physiological responses on the reproductive, metabolism and stress endpoints of Astyanax lacustris females (Teleostei: Characiformes) after diclofenac and ibuprofen exposure

Abstract

Diclofenac (DCF) and ibuprofen (IBU) are pharmaceutical compounds frequently detected in aquatic compartments worldwide. Several hazard effects including developmental abnormalities and redox balance impairment have been elucidated in aquatic species, but multiple endocrine evaluations are scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the disruptive physiological effects and toxicity of DCF and IBU isolated and combined, using females of the native freshwater teleost Astyanax lacustris. In regards to NSAIDs bioavailability, the results showed absence of degradation of IBU and DCF after 7 days of exposure. IBU LC50 for A. lacustris was 137 mgL−1 and females exposed to IBU isolated increased thyroxine (T4) concentration at 24 h and decreased after 96 h; DCF exposure decreased triiodothyronine (T3) concentration at 96 h. Circulating levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), cortisol (F) and testosterone (T) were not affected by any treatment. HPG and HPI axis genes fshβ, pomc and vtg were upregulated after 24 h of IBU exposure, and dio2 was downregulated in DCF fish exposed group after 96 h compared to the mixture. Protein concentration was reduced in muscle and increased in the liver by DCF and mixtures exposures at 24 h; while liver lipids were increased in the mixture groups after 96 h. The study point out the capacity of NSAIDs to affect endocrine endpoints in A. lacustris females and induce changes in energetic substrate content after acute exposure to isolated and mixed NSAIDs treatments. Lastly, the present investigation brings new insights into the toxicity and endocrine disruptive activity of NSAIDs in Latin America teleost species and the aquatic environment.