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Alterations in the skin of Labeo rohita exposed to an azo dye, Eriochrome black T: a histopathological and enzyme biochemical investigation

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Abstract

Histopathological changes and alterations in the activity of certain metabolic and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in the head skin of Labeo rohita, exposed to sublethal test concentrations of the azo dye, Eriochrome black T for 4 days, using 24 h renewal bioassay method. Hypertrophied epithelial cells, increased density of mucous goblet cells, and profuse mucous secretion at the surface were considered to protect the skin from toxic impact of the azo dye. Degenerative changes including vacuolization, shrinkage, decrease in dimension, and density of club cells with simultaneous release of their contents in the intercellular spaces were associated to plug them, preventing indiscriminate entry of foreign matter. On exposure of fish to the dye, significant decline in the activity of enzymes—alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, carboxylesterase, succinate dehydrogenase, catalase, and peroxidase—was associated with the binding of dye to the enzymes. Gradual increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was considered to reflect a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. On transfer of azo dye exposed fish to freshwater, skin gradually recovers and, by 8 days, density and area of mucous goblet cells, club cells, and activity of the enzymes appear similar to that of controls. Alteration in histopathology and enzyme activity could be considered beneficial tool in monitoring environmental toxicity, valuable in the sustenance of fish populations.

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Acknowledgements

Mr. Ayan Srivastava was supported by Banaras Hindu University Fellowship (Scheme No. 5012) sponsored by the University Grants Commission, Government of India. Neeraj Verma was supported as Junior Research Fellow and then as Senior Research Fellow under the Centre of Advanced Study scheme (Award No. 14740) sponsored by the University Grant Commission, Government of India. Arup Mistri was supported as Junior Research Fellow and then as Senior Research Fellow under Rajiv Gandhi National fellowship (RGNF-2013-14-SC-WES-36992) scheme, University Grant Commission, Government of India. Brijesh Ranjan was supported as Project Fellow under the project P01/651 sponsored by the University Grant Commission, Government of India. We hereby declare that the experiments comply with the current laws of the country (India) in which they were performed.

Author contributions

Ayan Srivastava and Neeraj Verma designed the experiments and wrote the manuscript. Arup Mistri, Brijesh Ranjan, Ashwini Kumar Nigam, and Usha Kumari assisted in execution of experiments and data interpretation. Swati Mittal and Ajay Kumar Mittal were involved in critical reading, editing of manuscript, and data analysis. All authors discussed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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  1. Ajay Kumar Mittal

    Present address: Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, 9, Mani Nagar, Kandawa, Near Chitaipur Crossing, Varanasi, 221106, Uttar Pradesh, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Skin Physiology Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221 005, India

    Ayan Srivastava, Neeraj Verma, Arup Mistri, Brijesh Ranjan, Ashwini Kumar Nigam & Swati Mittal

  2. Zoology Section, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221 005, India

    Usha Kumari

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Srivastava, A., Verma, N., Mistri, A. et al. Alterations in the skin of Labeo rohita exposed to an azo dye, Eriochrome black T: a histopathological and enzyme biochemical investigation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 8671–8681 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8517-4

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