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DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by endosulfan exposure in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

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Abstract

Endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzo-dioxathiepin-3-oxide), an organochlorine pesticide, is prevalently used all around the world. It is considered to be a new candidate for the persistent organic pollutants group. Endosulfan residues in the environment may cause serious damage to ecosystems, especially in aquatic environments. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of endosulfan on antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage in zebrafish. Male and female zebrafish were separated and exposed to a control solution and four concentrations of endosulfan (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg L−1) and were sampled after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. It is noteworthy that the present research explored the correlation among the three indicators induced by endosulfan. Low endosulfan concentrations (0.01 μg L−1) induced a slight increase of SOD and CAT activity, which kept ROS in a stable level. High endosulfan concentration (10 μg L−1) induced excessive ROS production which exceeded the capacity of the cellular antioxidants and exhausted the enzyme including CAT and SOD. The DNA damage of zebrafish was evaluated by single-cell gel electrophoresis and was enhanced with increasing endosulfan concentration. In conclusion, the present study showed that endosulfan (0.01–10 μg L−1) has toxic effects on zebrafish.

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Acknowledgments

The present work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 41071164, 40801203, and 41001152], Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education [20113702110007] and the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China [No. 20080431215 and 200801418].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Taian, 271018, China

    Bo Shao, Lusheng Zhu, Miao Dong, Jun Wang, Jinhua Wang, Hui Xie, Qingming Zhang & Zhongkun Du

  2. College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Qingming Zhang

  3. College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Shaoyuan Zhu

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  1. Bo Shao
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  2. Lusheng Zhu
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  3. Miao Dong
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  4. Jun Wang
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  5. Jinhua Wang
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  6. Hui Xie
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  7. Qingming Zhang
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  8. Zhongkun Du
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  9. Shaoyuan Zhu
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Correspondence to Lusheng Zhu.

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Shao, B., Zhu, L., Dong, M. et al. DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by endosulfan exposure in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Ecotoxicology 21, 1533–1540 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-012-0907-2

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