Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary ascorbic acid reduced micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) exposed to hospital effluent

  • Published:
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hospital effluents contain myriad of mutagens and genotoxins capable of increasing DNA damage in aquatic biota. African mudfish, Clarias gariepinus, are exposed to genotoxins when cultured in swamps and derelict water bodies often contaminated by effluents. Moreover, its DNA is susceptible to xenobiotic-induced lesions since it lacks l-gulonolactone oxidase and hence cannot synthesize l-ascorbic acid. This study investigated 96-h acute toxicity and protective effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) against micronucleus (MN) and abnormal nuclear (NAs) formation in C. gariepinus exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of hospital effluent. Six concentrations (0.5–3.0%) of the effluent were selected to determine the 96-h acute toxicity of the effluent in C. gariepinus, after range finding test. Fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (0.08–1.30%) of the 96 h LC50. Two other groups were exposed to the 96 h LC50 (1.30%) of the effluent +50 and +100 mg/kg of dietary ascorbic for 7 days, and MN and NAs assessed in peripheral erythrocytes. The 96 h LC50 (1.30%) was 1.18 times more toxic than the 24 h LC50 (1.54%), indicating that the toxicity of the effluent increased with exposure duration. MN, nuclear bud, enucleated, fragmented nucleus (apoptosis), and necrotic erythrocytes significantly increase in effluent treated fish. Dietary AA reduced MN from 6.35-fold (1.30% treated group) to 3.72-fold (1.30% + 50 mg AA) and 3.54-fold (1.30% + 100 mg AA). Also, AA reduced total NAs from 2.26-fold (1.30%) to 1.40-fold (1.30% + 50 mg AA) and 1.06-fold (1.30% + 100 mg AA) compared to the control. Heavy metals and physicochemical parameters analyzed in the tested effluent possibly induced the mortality and cytogenotoxicity in C. gariepinus, and this was ameliorated by dietary AA.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adeogun AO, Chukwuka AV (2011) Effect of textile factory effluent on otolith and somatic growth parameters in Clarias gariepinus. Zool 9:70–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Adeogun AO, Ibor OR, Chukwuka AV (2013) Acute toxicity of abattoir and saw-mill effluents to juvenile-sized Clarias gariepinus. Zool Ecol 23:53–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agboola OA, Fawole OO (2014) Chronic toxicity of pharmaceutical effluent to Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Covenant J Physical Life Sci 1:27–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Alabi OA, Shokunbi OS (2011) Toxicological effects of hospital wastewater using animal bioassays. Ann Biol Res 2:265–275

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alimba CG, Bakare AA (2016) In vivo micronucleus test in the assessment of cytogenotoxicity of landfill leachates in three animal models from various ecological habitats. Ecotoxicology 25:310–319

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alimba CG, Ajayi EO, Hassan T, Sowunmi AA, Bakare AA (2015a) Cytogenotoxicity of abattoir effluent in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) using micronucleus test. Chinese J Biol 2015:1–6. doi:10.1155/2015/624524 Article ID 624524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alimba CG, Saliu JK, Ubani-Rex OA (2015b) Cytogenotoxicity and histopathological assessment of Lekki lagoon and Ogun River in Synodontis clarias (Linnaeus, 1758). Toxicol Environ Chem 97:221–234

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alkaladi A, Nasr El-Deen AM, Afifi M, Abu Zinadah AO (2015) Hematological and biochemical investigations on the effect of vitamin E and C on Oreochromis niloticus exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles. Saudi J Biol Sci 22:556–563

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • American Public Health Association (APHA) (2005) Standard methods for examination of water including bottom sediments and sludges. Standard Methods, 19th edn, p 874

  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (2002) Standard guide for conducting acute toxicity tests on test materials with fishes, macro vertebrates and amphibians. E729/96. In Annual Book of ASTM standards, ASTM, Philadelphia, PA., 11.05, 179–200

  • Ayllon F, Garcia-Vazquez E (2000) Induction of micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities in European minnow Phoxinus phoxinus and mollie Poecilia latipinna: an assessment of the fish micronucleus test. Mutat Res 467:177–186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ayoola SO, Bassey BO, Alimba CG, Ajani EK (2012) Textile effluent induced genotoxic effects and oxidative stress in Clarias gariepinus. Pakistan J Biol Sci 15:804–812

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bagatini MD, Vasconcelos TG, Laughinghouse HD IV, Martins AF, Tedesco SB (2009) Biomonitoring hospital effluents by the Allium cepa L. test. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 82:590–592

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bakare AA, Alabi OA, Gbadebo AM, Ogunsuyi OI, Alimba CG (2013) In vivo cytogenotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by electronic waste leachate and contaminated well water. Challenges 4:169–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bendich A, Machlin LJ, Scandurra O, Burton GW, Wayner DDM (1986) The antioxidant role of vitamin C. Adv Free Radic Biol Med 2:419–444

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biuki NA, Savari A, Mortazavi M, Zolgharnein H, Salamat N (2011) Accumulation and elimination of cadmium and lead in juvenile milkfish during sublethal exposure. Toxicol Environ Chem 93:2022–2033

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bolognesi C, Hayashi M (2011) Micronucleus assay in aquatic animals. Mutagenesis 26:205–213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canli M, Ay Ö, Kalay M (1998) Levels of heavy metals (cd, Pb, cu, Cr and Ni) in tissue of Cyprinus carpio, Barbus capito and Chondrostoma regium from the Seyhan River, Turkey. Turk J Zool 22:149–157

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carrasco KR, Tibury KL, Myers MS (1990) Assessment of the piscine micronucleus test as an in situ biological indicator of chemical contaminant effects. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 47:2123–2136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi SW, Benzie IFF, Collins AR, Hannigan BM, Strain JJ (2004) Vitamins C and E: acute interactive effects on biomarkers of antioxidant defence and oxidative stress. Mutat Res 551:109–117

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cole DW, Cole R, Gaydos SJ, Gray J, Hyland G, Jacques ML, Powell-Dunford N, Sawhney C, Au WW (2009) Aquaculture: environmental, toxicological, and health issues. Int J Hygiene Environ Health 212:369–377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daiwile AP, Naoghare PK, Giripunje MD, Rao PDP, Ghosh TK, Krishnamurthi K, Alimba CG, Sivanesan S (2015) Correlation of melanophore index with a battery of functional genomic stress indicators for measurement of environmental stress in aquatic ecosystem. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 39:489–495

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ekhaise FO, Omavwoya BP (2008) Influence of hospital wastewater discharged from University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin city on its receiving environment. American-Eurasian J Agric Environ Sci 4:484–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmanuel E, Keck G, Blanchard JM, Vermande P, Perrodin Y (2014) Toxicological effects of disinfections using sodiumhypochlorite on aquatic organisms and its contribution to AOX formation in hospital wastewater. Environ Int 30:891–900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fenech M (2007) Cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. PRO 2:1084–1104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenech M, Kirsch-Volders M, Natarajan AT, Surralles J, Crott JW, Parry J, Norppa H, Eastmond DA, Tucker JD, Thomas P (2011) Molecular mechanisms of micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridge and nuclear bud formation in mammalian and human cells. Mutagenesis 26:125–132

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finney DJ (1952) Probit analysis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

  • Fracalossi DM, Allen ME, Yuyama LK, Oftedal OT (2001) Ascorbic acid biosynthesis in Amazonian fishes. Aquaculture 192:321–332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giuliani F, Koller T, Würgler FE, Widmer RM (1996) Detection of genotoxic activity in native hospital wastewater by the umuC test. Mutat Res 368:49–57

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grummt T, Grummt HJ, Schott M (1993) Chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of nurses and physicians handling antineoplastic drugs. Mutat Res 302:19–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harabawy ASA, Ibrahim ATA (2014) Sublethal toxicity of carbofuran pesticide on the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822): Hematological, biochemical and cytogenetic response. Ecotoxicol Environ Safety 103:61–67

  • Harabawy ASA, Mosleh YYI (2014) The role of vitamins a, C, E and selenium as antioxidants against genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc on erythrocytes of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Ecotoxicol Environ Safe 104:28–35

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harada M (1995) Minamata disease: methylmercury poisoning in Japan caused by environmental pollution. Crit Rev Toxicol 25:1–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayler GS (1993) Aspects of the biology and culture of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, (Burchell 1822) with particular reference to developing African countries. Research Advances in Aquaculture IV. Minor JF, Roberts, RJ (eds). pp 235–291

  • Hossaina MS, Santhanam A, Norulaini NAN, Omar AKM (2011) Clinical solid waste management practices and its impact on human health and environment- a review. Waste Manag 31:754–766

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiraungkoorskul W, Sahaphong S, Kangwanrangsan N, Zakaria S (2008) The protective influence of ascorbic acid against the genotoxicity of waterborne lead exposure in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) J Fish Biol 73:355–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jolibois B, Guerbet M (2005) Evaluation of industrial, hospital and domestic wastewater genotoxicity with the salmonella fluctuation test and the SOS chromotest. Mutat Res 565:151–162

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kummerer K (2009) Antibiotics in the aquatic environment- a review -part II. Chemosphere 75:435–441

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Moniruzzaman M, Yun H, Lee S, Park Y, Bai SC (2016) Dietary vitamin C reduced mercury contents in the tissues of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus exposed with and without mercury. Environ. Toxicol Pharmacol 45:8–14

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liehr JG, Roy D, Gladek A (1989) Mechanism of inhibition of estrogen-induced renal carcinogenesis in male Syrian hamster by vitamin C. Carcinogenesis 10:1983–1988

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Machlin LJ, Bendich A (1987) Free radical tissue damage: protective role of antioxidant nutrients. FASEB J 1:441–445

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Magdaleno A, Juárez AB, Dragani V, Saenz ME, Paz M, Moretton J (2014) Ecotoxicological and genotoxic evaluation of Buenos Aires City (Argentina) hospital wastewater. J Toxicol 2014:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malins DC, McCain BB, Landahl JT, Myers MS, Krahn MM, Brown DW, Chanm SL, Roubal WT (1988) Neoplastic and others diseases in fish in relation to toxic chemicals: an overview. Aquat Toxicol 11:43–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maluf SW, Erdtmann B (2000) Evaluation of occupational genotoxic risk in a Brazilian hospital. Genet Mol Biol 23:485–488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mason CF (1996) Biology of freshwater pollution, 3rd edn. Addison Wesley Longman Limited, Longman group UK, p 355

  • Mesi A, Kopliku D (2015) The use of Allium cepa L. assay for toxicity bio-moritoring of hospital effluents—an Albanian case. Euro J Toxicol Sci 1–15

  • Mix MC (1986) Cancerous disease in aquatic animals and their association with environmental pollutants: a critical literature review. Mar Environ Res 20:1–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreau R, Dabrowski K (1998) Fish acquired ascorbic acid synthesis prior to terrestrial vertebrate emergence. Free Radic Biol Med 25:989–990

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moreau R, Dabrowski K (2000) Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid by extant actinopterygians. J Fish Biol 57:733–745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NESREA (2011) National Environmental (Surface and Groundwater quality) Regulations. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency

  • Nishikimi M, Yagi K (1991) Molecular basis for the deficiency in humans of gulonolactone oxidase, a key enzyme for ascorbic acid biosynthesis. Am J Clin Nutr 54:1203S–1208S

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nwakwuo GC, Abanobi OC, Abaraogu UJ, Uwalaka CH, Asonye IC (2014) Hospital waste generation and management practices in Owerri, Nigeria. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 8:623–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (1992) Guidelines for testing of chemicals. Guideline no. 203: fish, acute toxicity test

  • Orias F, Perrodin Y (2013) Characterisation of the ecotoxicity of hospital effluents: a review. Sci Total Environ 454–455:250–276

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pathan TS, Sonawane DL, Khillare YK (2009) Toxicity and behavioural changes in freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius exposed to paper mill effluent. Botany Research International 2(4):263–266

  • Patra RC, Swarup D, Dwivedi SK (2001) Antioxidant effects of alpha tocopherol, ascorbic acid and L-methionine on lead induced oxidative stress to the liver, kidney and brain in rats. Toxicology 162:81–88

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pulido MD, Parrish AR (2003) Metal-induced apoptosis: mechanisms. Mutat Res 533:227–241

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandnes K (1991) Vitamin C in fish nutrition—a review. Fiskeridirektoratets Skrifter Serie Ernœring 4:3–32

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sato K, Niki E, Shimasaki H (1990) Free radical-mediated chain oxidation of low density lipoprotein and its synergistic inhibition by vitamin E and vitamin C. Arch Biochem Biophys 279:402–405

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma P, Mathur N, Singh A (2012) Genotoxicity of health care waste waters: a review. Res J Chem Environ 16:116–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taju G, Abdul Majeed S, Nambi KSN, SarathBabu V, Vimal S, Kamatchiammal S, SahulHameed AS (2012) Comparison of in vitro and in vivo acute toxicity assays in Etroplussu ratensis (Bloch, 1790) and its three cell lines in relation to tannery effluent. Chemosphere 87:55–61

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsakona M, Anagnostopoulou E, Gidarakos E (2007) Hospital waste management and toxicity evaluation: a case study. Waste Manag 27:912–920

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (1996) Acid digestion of sediments, sludges and soils. Method-3050B.USEPA: Washington, DC

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (2005) Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieve AQUIRE aquatic toxicology database. Available: www.epa.gov/ecotox/accesse

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (2006) Maximum permissible limit for effluents from wastewater. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html

  • Verlhac V, Gabaudan J (1994) Influence of vitamin C on the immune system of salmonids. Aquac Fish Manag 25:21–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Verlicchi P, Galletti A, Petrovic M, Barceló D (2010) Hospital effluents as a source of emerging pollutants: an overview of micropollutants and sustainable treatment options. J Hydrol 389:416–428

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation (WHO) (1990) Environmental health criteria for methylmercury, Environmental Health Criteria 101, Geneva, p 144

  • Yamamoto Y, Sato M, Ikeda S (1978) Existence of L-gulonolactone oxidase in some teleosts. Bull Jpn Soc Sci Fish 44:775–779

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Chibuisi G. Alimba, Raphael D. Ajiboye & Olakunle S. Fagbenro

Authors
  1. Chibuisi G. Alimba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raphael D. Ajiboye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Olakunle S. Fagbenro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chibuisi G. Alimba.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alimba, C.G., Ajiboye, R.D. & Fagbenro, O.S. Dietary ascorbic acid reduced micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) exposed to hospital effluent. Fish Physiol Biochem 43, 1325–1335 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-017-0375-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-017-0375-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation