2,4-Dinitrotoluene (DNT) Perturbs Yolk Absorption, Liver Development and Lipid Metabolism/Oxygen Transport Gene Expression in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae

Abstract

2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is a common environmental pollutant, and was classified as a group 2B human carcinogenic compound by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This study determined the toxic effects of 2,4-DNT exposure on zebrafish at the embryo-larvae stage, in terms of organ morphogenesis and the expression pattern of selected target genes related to lipid metabolism and oxygen transportation. The results showed that the 120-h post-fertilization LC50 of 2,4-DNT was 9.59 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 8.89–10.44 mg/L. The larvae treated with 2,4-DNT showed toxic symptoms including smaller body, less skin pigment production, yolk malabsorption, and disordered liver development. Further studies on the expression of genes related to lipid transport and metabolism, and respiration indicated that they were significantly affected by 2,4-DNT. It is concluded that 2,4-DNT exposure perturbed liver development and yolk absorption in early-life zebrafish, and disturbed the lipid metabolism /oxygen transport gene expression.

Apatinib induces zebrafish hepatotoxicity by inhibiting Wnt signaling and accumulation of oxidative stress

“…So, the reduced liver area and delayed yolk absorption suggest a degree of liver developmental defect. 16,23,25 As shown in Figure apatinib induces a significant reduction in heart rate. In previous studies, multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been shown to cause cardiotoxicity associated with apatinib, 26,27 suggesting that tyrosine kinase inhibitors may induced cardiotoxicity in zebrafish.…”

“…The yolk is a nutrient source for zebrafish development, and liver development is based on yolk absorption. So, the reduced liver area and delayed yolk absorption suggest a degree of liver developmental defect 16,23,25 …”

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) exposure induces liver developmental damage and perturbs lipid metabolism and oxygen transport gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Nitrotoluenes, an important industrial material, is extensively used in the manufacture of munitions, dyes, and other industrial products such as polyurethane foams and pesticides (Walia et al 2002;Xiong et al 2019; Xu and Nan 2012). In the course of using, a series of intermediates and by-products, such as trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluenes (2,4-DNT) and 2,6-DNT, are generated (Xu and Nan 2012).…”

“…Nitrotoluenes bioaccumulation can cause virous toxicity symptoms, including developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity and histological alternations. As a potent hepatocarcinogen in animals, 2,4-DNT exposure has also been shown to perturb the liver development of zebra sh (Danio rerio) larvae (Xiong et al 2019) and reduce enzyme activity and energy reserves in the liver of adult common carp (Xu and Nan 2012). Moreover, Wintz et al (2006) indicated that 2,4-DNT exposure signi cantly affected the expression of lipid metabolism and oxygen transport gene in adult fathead minnow.…”

Creation of Environmentally Friendly Super “Dinitrotoluene Scavenger” Plants

“…[ 3 , 4 , 5 ] Many published studies have established the carcinogenic effects of 2,4‐DNT on humans [ 6 ] and mutagenic toxicity to microorganisms, algae, fish, and plants. [ 2 , 7 ] Recently, the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency classified 2,4‐DNT as a Group 2B human carcinogen and priority pollutant, respectively [ 8 , 9 ] Consequently, the increasing concern about 2,4‐DNT pollution has sparked a frenzy to eliminate it from the environment.…”