Oxidative stress and neurotoxicity induced by exposure to settleable atmospheric particulate matter in bullfrog tadpoles, Aquarana catesbeiana, (Shaw, 1802)

Abstract

Bullfrog tadpoles, Aquarana catesbeiana, were exposed to settleable particulate matter (SePM), (1 g L− 1, 96 h) and their organs were collected for analysis of metal/metalloid, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in liver, muscle, kidney and brain. The SePM water of the exposed groups contained 18 of the 28 metals/metalloids detected in ambient particulate matter (APM). Fe56 and Al were those that presented the highest concentrations, Cr, Mn, Pb and Cu increased from 10 to 20 times and Ti, V, Sr, Rb, Cd, Sn and Ni increased from 1 to 3 times compared to the control. Bioaccumulation of metals/metalloids in the exposure water varied significantly between organs, with the muscle and liver showing the highest concentrations of metals, followed by the brain. Lipoperoxidation andmalondialdehyde increased only in muscle, while carbonyl proteins increased only in the liver and brain. Regarding nitric oxide synthase, there was an increase in the liver and brain in the group exposed to SePM.Catalase activity decreased in the liver and muscle, while the activity of glutathione peroxidase, increased in the liver and kidney and decreased in muscle. Glutathione S-transferase, which is mainly responsible for detoxification, increased in the liver and decreased in muscle and the kidney. Cholinesterase activity increased only in the muscle. The results indicate oxidative stress, due to oxidation catalyzed by metals, components of SePM.Thus, the results contribute to the understanding that SePM has a deleterious effect on the aquatic environment, negatively affecting bullfrog tadpoles, in different ways and levels in relation to the analyzed organs.