Toxicological evaluation of sediment samples spiked with human pharmaceutical products: Energy status and neuroendocrine effects in marine polychaetes Hediste diversicolor

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 118; pp. 27 - 36
• Main Authors: Maranho, L.A., André, C., DelValls, T.A., Gagné, F., Martín-Díaz, M.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - metabolism; Electron Transport - drug effects; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Energy status; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Hediste diversicolor; Inflammation; Lipid Metabolism - drug effects; Marine; Marine sediment; Mitochondria - metabolism; Monoamine Oxidase - metabolism; Neuroendocrine effects; Neurosecretory Systems - drug effects; Pharmaceutical compounds; Pharmaceutical Preparations - metabolism; Polychaeta - drug effects; Polychaeta - immunology; Polychaeta - metabolism; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Energy status; Inflammation; Pharmaceutical compounds; Marine sediment; Hediste diversicolor; Neuroendocrine effects
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.010

There is a lack of studies about the ecotoxicology of pharmaceutical products on marine environment. To predict possible adverse effects of pharmaceutical products on benthic biota, polychaetes Hediste diversicolor were exposed for 14-days to pharmaceutical-spiked sediments under laboratory conditions. Carbamazepine (CBZ), ibuprofen (IBP) and propranolol (PRO) at concentrations of 500ngg−1, 50ngg−1, 5ngg−1, 0.5ngg−1 and 0.05ngg−1, fluoxetine (FX) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) at concentrations of 100ngg−1, 10ngg−1, 1ngg−1, 0.1ngg−1 and 0.01ngg−1, including environmental concentrations (underlined), were spiked in marine sediment samples. After the exposure, cellular energy status (total lipids content – TLP; and mitochondrial electron transport activity – MET), metabolism of monoamines (monoamine oxidase activity – MAO) and inflammation properties (cyclooxygenase activity – COX) were observed in polychaetes. CBZ increased TLP content and MET activity, and decreased MAO activity in polychaetes. IBP did not interfere on the TLP level, but on the MET and MAO activities (environmental concentrations). FX did not cause changes in the energy status. Therefore, environmental concentration diminished MAO activity. EE2 did not affect the energy status, however, MAO activity was significantly lower in polychaetes exposed to environmental concentration. PRO increased TLP level in polychaetes, but not MET activity. MAO activity was significantly lower for polychaetes exposed to environmental concentration. Except FX, all pharmaceuticals showed anti-inflammatory properties confirmed by the decrease of COX activity. Pharmaceutical products affected H. diversicolor physiology and health. As a benthic top predator, adverse effects on sea-worms can potentially culminate in ecosystem perturbations. •Marine polychaetes were exposed to sediment spiked with five human pharmaceuticals.•Significant changes in energy status and neuroendocrine effects in H. diversicolor.•Mortality of polychaetes was linked to energy status and neuroendocrine effects.•Pharmaceutical products affected H. diversicolor physiology and health.•Benthic communities exposed to pharmaceuticals could be at ecological risk.