Temporal variations in kidney metal concentrations and their implications for retinoid metabolism and oxidative stress response in wild yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if temporal variations in tissue metal concentrations are related to biomarkers of retinoid metabolism and oxidative stress responses in juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens). To this end, kidney metal (Cd, Cu and Zn) concentrations were measured in fish sampled in spring and fall 2012 in four lakes representing a wide range of water and sediment metal contamination in the Rouyn-Noranda (Quebec) region. Lakes Opasatica and Hélène were considered as reference lakes while lakes Dufault and Marlon were metal-contaminated. Kidney concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn varied widely between spring and fall in fish from both clean and metal-contaminated lakes. An inter-lake difference in renal metal concentrations was only observed for Cd, with fish from Lake Marlon consistently displaying higher concentrations. In the spring, the concentrations of liver dehydroretinol, dehydroretinyl palmitate and total vitamin A esters were higher in fish sampled in the most contaminated lake. Strong temporal variations in the concentrations of these metabolites, as well as in the percentage of liver free dehydroretinol and the epidermal retinol dehydrogenase 2 transcription levels, were observed in fish living in the most metal-impacted lake, with generally higher values in the spring. In contrast to liver, in muscle, no clear seasonal variations in the concentrations of dehydroretinol, dehydroretinyl stearate or in the percentage of free dehydroretinol were observed in fish captured in the most contaminated lake. Temporal variations of traditional biomarkers of oxidative stress response were also observed in the most metal-impacted lake. For example, the transcription level of the gene encoding Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-1 in liver and muscle catalase activity of perch sampled in the most contaminated lake were higher in spring than in fall. Positive relationships were found between kidney Cd concentrations and the transcription level of the gene encoding glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and all forms of retinoid concentrations in liver in spring, except with the percentage of free dehydroretinol where the correlation was negative. Our results translate to a state of stress caused by Cd and illustrate that temporal variations in tissue metal concentrations affect retinoid metabolism and antioxidant capacities in juvenile wild yellow perch. Overall this study contributes to highlight the importance of considering temporal variations when investigating the consequences of metal contamination on the physiology of wild fish.

Ecotoxicological Assessment of Heavy Metal and Its Biochemical Effect in Fishes

“…A decrease in lipid content in Catla catla tissues exposed to sublethal and lethal cadmium chloride concentration was reported by Sobha et al [ 35 ]. The effect of heavy metals on lipid profiles has also been documented by Levesque et al and Defo et al [ 36 , 37 ], Dubale and Shah [ 38 ], and Nowosad et al, Bazarsadueva et al, and Pierron et al [ 39 – 41 ].…”

“…The effect of heavy metals on lipid profiles has also been documented by Levesque al. and Defo et al[36,37], Dubale and Shah[38], and Nowosad et al, Bazarsadueva et al, and Pierron et al [39-41].…”

Molecular Impacts of Dietary Exposure to Nanoplastics Combined or Not with Arsenic in the Caribbean Mangrove Oysters (Isognomon alatus)

“…Genes related to cell cycle regulation included p53 (tumor suppressor; [ 73 ]), gadd45 (DNA repair; [ 74 ]), and bax (apoptotic activator; [ 73 ]). Oxidative stress-related genes included sod1 (dismutation of superoxides into O 2 and H 2 O 2 ), cat (conversion of H 2 O 2 into O 2 and H 2 O; [ 75 ]), and gapdh (reduction and oxidation activities; [ 76 , 77 ]). Mitochondrial metabolism-related genes included cox1 (respiratory chain electron transport), normalized by 12S being indicative of the ribosomic RNA level [ 78 , 79 ], and detoxification related genes included mdr (drugs’ cell expulsion; [ 80 ]).…”

“…Transport-pathway-related genes included cav (cell membrane invagination for endocytosis) and cltc (intracellular vesicle transport; [71,72]). Genes related to cell cycle regulation included p53 (tumor suppressor; [73]), gadd45 (DNA repair; [74]), and bax (apoptotic activator; [73] [75]), and gapdh (reduction and oxidation activities; [76,77]). Mitochondrial metabolism-related genes included cox1 (respiratory chain electron transport), normalized by 12S being indicative of the ribosomic RNA level [78,79], and detoxification related genes included mdr (drugs' cell expulsion; [80]).…”