Esin G. Canli
Çukurova University, Turkey
Title: Uptake and Depuration of nanoparticles (Al2O3, CuO, TiO2) in tissues of freshwater fish (Oreochromis niloticus); Changes in ATPase activity in the osmoregulatory organs of fish
Biography
Biography: Esin G. Canli
Abstract
Metal-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are being used in different fields of nanotechnology. Consequently, especially the aquatic environments can be contaminated by their waste products. In this study, fish were exposed to three metal-oxide NPs (aluminum, copper, titanium) in differing concentrations (0, 1, 5, 25 mg/L) for 14 d. Following the exposures, the activities of ATPases in the osmoregulatory organs of fish were measured. Additionally, aggregates of NPs in tissues of fish were demonstrated by TEM. Data showed that all NPs decreased significantly ATPase activities. In general, Al-NPs and Cu-NPs decreased significantly all ATPase activities in the gill and kidney at the highest and medium exposure concentrations. Similarly, Ti-NPs also decreased significantly all ATPase activities in the kidney at the highest and medium exposure concentration, though none of Ti-NP concentrations caused significant change in ATPase activity in the gill. Overall, data demonstrated that the least affected enzyme was Mg-ATPase and the least toxic NP was Ti-NP. TEM images demonstrated that all NPs accumulated in the tissues of fish in 14 days of exposure period, but not eliminated completely after 14 days of depuration period. There were considerable NP accumulations in the tissues of NP exposed fish. NP aggregates in the intercellular space and in the cells can be seen from the TEM images, suggesting decreases in ATPase activities occurred due to NP aggregates. This study demonstrated that NPs are able to cause changes in tissue structures and ATPases were very sensitive to NP exposures.