The cerium oxide nanoparticles toxicity induced physiological, histological and biochemical alterations in freshwater mussels, Unio crassus

Ezgi Uluer Türkmen; Pınar Arslan; Figen Erkoç; Aysel Çağlan Günal; Hatice Duran

doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127371

The cerium oxide nanoparticles toxicity induced physiological, histological and biochemical alterations in freshwater mussels, Unio crassus

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2024 May:83:127371. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127371. Epub 2023 Dec 20.

Authors

Ezgi Uluer Türkmen¹, Pınar Arslan², Figen Erkoç³, Aysel Çağlan Günal⁴, Hatice Duran⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Türkiye.
² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Çankırı Karatekin University, 18100 Çankırı, Türkiye.
³ Department of Biology Education, Gazi Faculty of Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, Ankara, Türkiye; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Başkent University, Etimesgut, Ankara, Türkiye.
⁴ Department of Biology Education, Gazi Faculty of Education, Gazi University, Teknikokullar, Ankara, Türkiye; Environmental Health and Environmental Sciences Program, Health Services Vocational School, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye. Electronic address: caglangunal@gazi.edu.tr.
⁵ Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Türkiye; UNAM - National Nanotechnology Research Center and Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye.

PMID: 38176319
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127371

Abstract

Introduction: Releasing of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-CeO₂) to the nature has increased due to the widespread use in many fields ranging from cosmetics to the food industry. Therefore, nano-CeO₂ has been included in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) priority list for engineering nanomaterials. In this study, the effects of nano-CeO₂ on the freshwater mussels were investigated to reveal the impact on the freshwater systems on model organism.

Methods: First, the chemical and structural properties of nano-CeO₂ were characterized in details. Second, the freshwater mussels were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of nano-CeO₂ as 10 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg/L during 48-h and 7-d. Third, after the exposure periods, hemolymph and tissue samples were taken to analyse the Total Hemocyte Counts (THCs) histology and oxidative stress parameters (total antioxidant status, glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, and advanced oxidative protein products).

Results: Significant decrease of the THCs was observed in the nano-CeO₂ exposed mussels compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The histological results showed a positive association between nano-CeO₂ exposure concentration in the water and level of tissue damage and histopathological alterations were detected in the gill and the digestive gland tissues. Oxidative stress parameters were slightly affected after exposure to nano-CeO₂ (P > 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that acute exposure of freshwater mussels to nano-CeO₂ did not pose significant biological risk. However, it has been proven that mussels are able to accumulate nano-CeO₂ significantly in their bodies.

Conclusion: This suggests that nano-CeO₂ may be a potential risk to other organisms in the ecosystem through trophic transfer in the food-web based on their habitat and niche in the ecosystem.

Keywords: Freshwater mussels; Histopathology; Metal oxide nanoparticle; Nano-CeO(2); Oxidative stress biomarkers.

MeSH terms

Animals
Bivalvia*
Cerium* / chemistry
Cerium* / toxicity
Ecosystem
Fresh Water / chemistry
Glutathione / metabolism
Nanoparticles* / chemistry
Nanoparticles* / toxicity
Oxidative Stress
Unio* / metabolism

Substances

ceric oxide
Cerium
Glutathione