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Accumulation and Effects of Nodularin from a Single and Repeated Oral Doses of Cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena on Flounder (Platichthys flesus L.)

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Abstract

Nodularin (NODLN) is a cyclic pentapeptide hepatotoxin produced by the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena, which occurs regularly in the Baltic Sea during the summer season. In this study flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) was orally exposed to NODLN either as a single dose or as three repeated doses 3 days apart. Liver and bile samples of the fish were taken 4 days after the last dose. Liver glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was also measured and the histopathology of the liver was investigated. The liver of the exposed fish was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for NODLN concentration. The content of NODLN-like compounds in the bile was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NODLN exposure caused slightly incoherent liver architecture and degenerative cell changes in both groups. The mean liver GST activity was significantly higher in the repeatedly dosed flounders than in the singly dosed flounders or in the control. In conclusion, the significantly lower NODLN concentration and the increased GST activity in the liver of the repeatedly dosed flounders compared to the singly dosed flounders suggest that NODLN is rapidly detoxificated. The absence of NODLN glutathione conjugates and the low concentrations of NODLN-like compounds in the bile indicate that detoxification products disintegrate or they are rapidly excreted.

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Acknowledgments

Johanna Lindholm, M.Sc., is thanked for invaluable help with dosing and sampling of the flounder, and Professor Kaarina Sivonen (Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Helsinki) is acknowledged for delivering Nodularia spumigena strain AV1. The Academy of Finland, Research Council for Biosciences and Environment, is thanked for financial support to V.S. (project 80130) and to K.K. and J.M. (decision numbers 47664 and 108947). K.K. also acknowledges support from the National Graduate School of Informational and Structural Biology. Funding from the ERTDI Programme 2000–2006 Phase III to O.A., financed by the Irish Government and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 2, 00791, Helsinki, Finland

    Pekka J. Vuorinen & Marja Keinänen

  2. Finnish Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 33, 00931, Helsinki, Finland

    Vesa O. Sipiä

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Åbo Akademi University, 20520, Turku, Finland

    Krister Karlsson & Jussi A. O. Meriluoto

  4. Chemistry Department, PROTEOBIO Research Group, Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland

    Ambrose Furey, Orla Allis & Kevin James

  5. Finnish Food Safety Authority, Mustialankatu 3, 00790, Helsinki, Finland

    Ulla Perttilä & Eija Rimaila-Pärnänen

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  1. Pekka J. Vuorinen
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  2. Vesa O. Sipiä
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Correspondence to Pekka J. Vuorinen.

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Vuorinen, P.J., Sipiä, V.O., Karlsson, K. et al. Accumulation and Effects of Nodularin from a Single and Repeated Oral Doses of Cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena on Flounder (Platichthys flesus L.). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 57, 164–173 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9258-7

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