In vivo metabolism of benz[a]anthracene by the polychaete Nereis virens

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) can be metabolically activated to reactive intermediates with mutagenic potential. Although marine sediments serve as the major repository for PAH released into the environment, little is known of the capabilities of benthic organisms, particularly infaunal invertebrates to metabolize PAH.¹ In this study, in vivo metabolism of of the PAH benz[a]anthracene (BA) by the polychaete Nereis virens was investigated. Worms maintained in flow-through benthic microcosms were exposed to [¹⁴C-12]-BA sorbed to sediment, introduced directly to the water column, and in labeled food for periods of 4 to 25 days. Regardless of mode of exposure, most radiolabel recovered from Nereis was present as metabolic products with only 2 to 23% remaining as parent compound. In addition, a significant proportion (from 33 to 51%) of accumulated radioactivity was neither solvent extractable nor water soluble, suggesting that incorporation into macromolecular pools is a major fate of accumulated BA in Nereis virens.     

Biomarker responses in Macoma nasuta (Bivalvia) exposed to sediments from northern San Francisco Bay

Our study investigates biomarker responses and survival of Macoma nasuta exposed to sediments collected from six locations in northern San Francisco Bay. Biomarkers analyzed were stress proteins (hsp70) in gill, mantle and digestive gland, lysosomal membrane damage and histopathologic lesions. Sediments and clam tissues were analyzed for a comprehensive suite of heavy metals and trace organic pollutants. Sediment grain size and organic carbon content were determined. Clams accumulated metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (aldrin and p,p^′-DDT and its metabolites p,p^′-DDD and p,p^′-DDE). Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis revealed that mortality, hsp70 in gill and histopathologic lesion scores in gonads, and lysosomal membrane damage were significantly correlated with tissue concentrations of DDT and/or its metabolites. Tissue concentrations of metals, in particular nickel, chromium, and copper, were associated with macrophage aggregates in digestive gland and germ cell necrosis. Cadmium was linked to mortality and lysosomal membrane damage.     

Vitellogenin-associated maternal transfer of exogenous and endogenous ligands in the estuarine fish, Fundulus heteroclitus

Sequestration of large quantities of vitellogenin (VTG) is critical for proper oocyte development in most oviparous vertebrates. While previous studies have shown a general correlation between oocyte growth and the accumulation of various exogenous and endogenous ligands, few studies have attempted to elucidate the role VTG plays in this maternal transfer. In the present study, we have demonstrated that oocytic accumulation of [³H]-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (³H-TCDD) and [¹⁴C]-benzo(a)pyrene (¹⁴C-BaP) by gravid Fundulus heteroclitus is directly correlated with oocyte maturational status. A positive correlation was observed between oocyte maturational state (size) and both total quantity (total pmoles) as well as concentration (pmoles/g tissue) of TCDD and BaP. Further, the bi-phasic accumulation of both TCDD and BaP mirrors that previously observed for protein sequestration by cultured Fundulus oocytes. Additionally, both TCDD and BaP were associated with VTG in vivo. HPLC analysis of serum extracts has shown that VTG associates with both parent BaP and BaP metabolites. Studies with ¹²⁵I-T₄ (thyroxine) also suggest that this critical hormone also associates with VTG in vivo. Ongoing studies are examining the VTG-associated transport and oocytic sequestration of ¹²⁵I-T₄ in gravid Fundulus.     

The activation of aromatic amines in some marine invertebrates

Recently we found that the postmitochondrial fraction of marine mussel (Mytilus edulis) digestive gland metabolizes aromatic amines readily but not polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.¹ Here we present some properties of similar biotransforming capacity of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and preliminary evidence for the presence of similar exclusive metabolism of aromatic amines in all marine invertebrates tested so far.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface seawater and in indigenous mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from coastal areas of the Saronikos Gulf (Greece)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and measured in surface seawater and in the tissues (gills and mantle) of indigenous black mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, collected from three coastal sites of Saronikos Gulf (Greece), a gulf that exhibits high levels of pollution. The total PAHs measured by spectrofluorometry in the surface seawater were found in the range of 425–459 ng L⁻¹ at the most polluted sites 1 and 2 (Elefsis Bay–Salamis Island) and in the range of 103–124 ng L⁻¹ at site 3 (Aegina Island). PAHs' sources in seawater were identified by application of specific PAH ratios, such as phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene. Levels of PAHs in soft tissues (gills and mantle) of indigenous mussels were much higher than those reported for seawater. Total PAH concentrations in mantle tissues were in the range of 1300–1800 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) tissue at sites 1 and 2 and approximately 380 ng g⁻¹ dw at site 3. In gill tissues total PAH concentrations were in the range of 1480–2400 ng g⁻¹ dw at sites 1 and 2 and approximately 430 ng g⁻¹ dw at site 3. PAHs composition was dominated by two-, three- and four-ring compounds in seawater, where 17 different PAH compounds were identified and measured in mussel tissues. Mussels can be used as sentinel organisms to monitoring PAHs' contamination, since they concentrate PAHs from the surrounding water media and therefore making the chemical analysis simpler and less prone to error than that for water. In surface seawater possible weathering and photodegradation due to hot climates contribute to reduced PAHs concentrations.     

Stress protein expression in Ampelisca abdita (Amphipoda) exposed to sediments from San Francisco Bay

Stress proteins (heat shock proteins, hsps) form part of the cellular protein repair system, and are induced by a wide variety of Stressors. To determine their suitability as tools for assessing sublethal sediment toxicity, we measured levels of members of the stress protein families hsp60 and hsp70 in benthic estuarine amphipods (Ampelisca abdita) exposed to sediments from 23 different sampling sites in San Francisco Bay for 10 d. Concentrations of sediment-associated xenobiotics were determined. Per cent survival was recorded and surviving animals were analysed for stress proteins using western blotting techniques. An inverse correlation (r² = 0.44) was seen between amphipod survival and hsp64 levels, and hsp64 levels were positively correlated with concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (r² = 0.5). Principal component analysis revealed that amphipod mortality was linked to a combination of several PAHs (phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene) and di-n-butylphthalate at southern San Francisco Bay sites. At northern San Francisco Bay sites, negative correlations were found between hsp64 levels and organotin compounds (MBT, DBT, TBT), and between hsp71 levels and the PAHs, benzo (b,k)fluoranthene and benzo(G,H,I)perylene, suggesting an inhibitory effect of these compounds on stress protein expression.     

An aromatase inhibitor and tamoxifen decrease plasma levels of o,p-DDT and its metabolites in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The objective of this study was to determine if tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor (4-hydroxyandrostenedione; 4-OHA) affected plasma concentrations of o,p^′-DDT and its metabolites, o,p^′-DDD and o,p^′-DDE, in mature tilapia. Male and female tilapia were injected 6 times intraperitoneally with o,p^′-DDT (40 mg/kg) alone or in combination with 4-OHA (2 mg/kg) over a 12 day period. An additional group of male fish was injected with tamoxifen (5 mg/kg) plus o,p^′-DDT. At the end of the treatment period, plasma samples were extracted and analyzed by GC/ECD. Females injected only with o,p^′-DDT had significantly higher levels of o,p^′-DDT compared with males. Interestingly, females and males treated concomitantly with o,p^′-DDT and 4-OHA or tamoxifen had significantly lower concentrations of plasma o,p^′-DDT (about 50%) compared with fish treated with only o,p^′-DDT. These initial results suggest that an interaction between endocrine-active compounds occurs in vivo in tilapia and may involve alterations in metabolism of o,p^′-DDT.     

海水酸化对米氏凯伦藻和盐生杜氏藻种群增长和种间竞争的影响

大气中CO_2浓度升高导致的海水酸化改变了海洋生物赖以生存的化学环境,将对其生长、繁殖和代谢产生深远影响。本研究采用实验生态学的方法,以米氏凯伦藻(Karenia mikimotoi)和盐生杜氏藻(Dunaliella salina)为研究对象,探究在海水酸化条件下两种微藻种群增长和种间竞争关系的变化。结果发现:(1)在单培养体系中,随着二氧化碳浓度升高,米氏凯伦藻的环境负载能力(K)升高,而对其生长率进入拐点的时间(T_p)、内禀增长率(r)、进入指数增长期(T_(Ep))和静止期的时间(T_(Sp))均无显著性影响;对盐生杜氏藻而言,二氧化碳浓度升高显著降低了盐生杜氏藻的T_p和r值,而对其K、T_(Ep)、T_(Sp)均无显著性影响;(2)在共培养体系中,两种微藻的K值均受到显著抑制,与单培养体系相比差异显著(P0.05);二氧化碳升高改变了两种微藻的竞争关系,微藻之间的竞争表现为向有利于米氏凯伦藻的方向发展。(3)米氏凯伦藻去藻过滤液对盐生杜氏藻产生抑制作用,二氧化碳浓度升高加剧了这种抑制作用。     

Isolation and characterisation of pristane metabolites formed in vivo by rainbow trout

Pristane (2,6,10,14 -tetramethylpentadecane) occurs ubiquitously in the marine environment. This hydrocarbon may be of biogenic or petrogenic origin.¹ Recently it has been shown that residual amounts of this branched alkane increased in marine organisms after an oil spill.^2,3 The lack of data on the fate of pristane in fish, added with the fact that this compound was considered by some authors as a non-metabolisable substance in vertebrates, including man,⁴ led us to investigate the capability of fish to metabolise pristane. In this study, urinary and fecal excretion, tissue distribution and metabolism of ³H-pristane were analysed in Salmo gairdneri R. after a single intragastric dose. In addition to unchanged hydrocarbon, various labelled compounds have been isolated and identified in liver, bile, faeces, urine and surrounding water, demonstrating that pristane was first oxidised to alcohols (pristanol and pristane-diol) and to acid (pristanic acid). The elimination of these compounds occurred in the form of conjugated products (primarily glucuronides) as well as free metabolites.     

Effect of in vivo cadmium exposure on the respiratory burst of Marine Fish (Limanda limanda L.) phagocytes

Following the in vivo exposure of dab (Limanda limanda L.) to cadmium chloride, kidney phagocytes were collected and their respiratory burst measured in vitro using chemiluminescence. Fish were exposed to mean measured concentrations of 1.3, 2.7 and 5.5 mg Cd litre⁻¹ (as total cadmium ion) for a total of nine weeks, followed by a three week depuration period in clean sea water. Compared with control fish, the respiratory burst of kidney phagocytes from dab sampled after six weeks was significantly reduced in the 2.7 and 5.5 mg Cd litre⁻¹ treatments (Steel's test, p < 0.05). Significant reductions were observed in the respiratory burst of phagocytes from all cadmium exposed fish compared with control fish after nine weeks (Steel's test, p < 0.05). After a further three week depuration period in clean sea water, the respiratory burst of phagocytes from fish previously exposed to 1.3 and 2.7 mg Cd litre⁻¹ were still significantly less than in the control group (Steel's test, p < 0.05). Muscle tissue cadmium concentrations were also analysed, although there was no clear relationship between the muscle total cadmium levels and kidney phagocyte chemiluminescence. The results are discussed with respect to the possible mechanism(s) of cadmium immunotoxicity in dab and recommendations made for future work.     

五种中草药复方体外激活花鳗鲡(Anguilla marmorata)外周血白细胞活性的评价

作为典型的降河洄游鱼类,花鳗鲡(Anguilla marmorata)在我国主要分布于长江下游及以南水域。中草药作为抗生素等化学类渔药的绿色替代品,对养殖鱼类具有抗菌、消炎、促生长等多种功效。为研究中草药复方在花鳗鲡病害防治中的作用,扩大水产养殖业渔药研制与应用的选择,采用非连续性密度梯度离心法对花鳗鲡外周血白细胞的分离体系进行了优化,试验设置了密度分别为1.031、1.043、1.056、1.067、1.090 g/mL的五种分离液,分别采用染色观察法和流式细胞术检测各分离液中白细胞浓度;以浓度1.0mg/mL的五种复方药液分别与10⁵cell/mL的白细胞悬液共孵育2h后,分别采用NBT法和流式细胞术测定白细胞的呼吸暴发活性和吞噬能力,评价五种中草药复方(多糖复方Dt,白头翁复方Btw,板蓝根复方Blg,大黄复方Dh,百里酚复方Blf)对花鳗鲡外周血白细胞的激活作用。结果显示:1.043g/mL和1.056g/mL的分离液所分离获得白细胞浓度均接近10⁵cell/mL,可在后续实验中叠加使用该两个浓度的分离液分离获得白细胞;流式细胞术检测白细胞浓度比染色观察法更为灵敏准确;5种复方均能显著提高花鳗鲡外周血白细胞的呼吸暴发活性(P<0.05),大小依次为Blg>Dt>Btw>Blf>Dh;Dt和Blg能显著提高白细胞吞噬率(P<0.05),Btw、Blf、Dh也能提高白细胞吞噬率,但差异不显著(P>0.05);5种复方对发生吞噬白细胞比率的影响差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

球形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌(Lysinibacillus sphaericus)对斑马鱼幼鱼生长、肠道菌群及代谢的影响

旨在探究养殖水体中添加球形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌对斑马鱼幼鱼生长、抗氧化免疫、肠道菌群与代谢的影响。将初体重为(0.019±0.003) g的270尾斑马鱼随机均分为3组, ZF0组(对照组, 基础饲料)、ZF5组(基础饲料+10⁵CFU/mL球形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌)与ZF7组(基础饲料+10⁷CFU/mL球形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌), 每组3个平行,试验周期为33 d。实验结果表明: (1) 各组间的终末体重、增重率和特定生长率都没有显著性差异(P>0.05)。(2) ZF5和ZF7组的GPT活性显著高于ZF0组(P<0.05), ZF5组AKP的活性显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。(3) ZF7组胰蛋白酶和脂肪酶的活性相对于ZF0和ZF5组显著提高(P<0.05)。(4) ZF7组肠道绒毛高度、V/C都显著高于ZF0与ZF5组(P<0.05); ZF7组的隐窝深度显著低于其他两组(P<0.05)。(5) 从肠道菌群组成来看, 各组间优势菌门均为变形菌门(Proteobacteria), ZF5和ZF7组显著降低了肠道中梭杆菌门(Fusobacteriota)的丰度并显著提高了放线菌门(Actinobacteriota)的丰度(P<0.05)。属水平上, 对照组与试验组的优势菌属为鲸杆菌属(Cetobacterium), 试验组显著减少了邻单胞菌属(Plesiomonas)的丰度同时显著提高了戈登氏菌属(Gordonia)、细杆菌属(Microbacterium)等有益菌属的丰度(P<0.05)。(6)ZF5和ZF7组与ZF0组的肠道代谢物差异明显, 其中Lipoxin a4、Prostaglandin g2和11-dehydrothromboxane b2显著上调(P<0.05), 5''-phosphoribosyl- 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide (aicar)显著下调(P<0.05)。差异代谢物主要富集在ABC转运蛋白、神经活性配体-受体相互作用以及丙氨酸、天冬氨酸和谷氨酸通路中。综上所述,养殖水体中添加球形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌有利于改善斑马鱼幼鱼的肠道消化性能、组织结构和微生物多样性及其代谢产物。     

Glucuronidation in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bears bioaccumulate lipophilic pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), into their bodies from their exclusive diet of marine organisms. Hydroxylated PCB metabolites (OH-PCBs) have been found in plasma, presumably due to CYP-dependent biotransformation of PCBs in liver. Little is known about the phase 2 metabolism of hydroxylated xenobiotics in polar bears. The objective of this study was to examine UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity with OH-PCBs and a hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 3-hydroxy-benzo(a)pyrene (3-OH-BaP), in polar bear liver. Samples of frozen polar bear liver were used to prepare microsomes. UGT activity with 3-OH-BaP in Brij-treated microsomes, measured by a fluorescence assay, was readily measurable with protein concentrations in assay tubes of up to 10 μg/ml, but dropped off very sharply at higher protein concentrations. The apparent K_m for 3-OH-BaP was 1.71 ± 0.04 μM, and V_max 1.26 ± 0.16 nmol/min/mg protein (mean ± SD, n=3). UGT activities with a model tetrachloro-OH-PCB (4^′-OH-CB72) and a model hexachloro-OH-PCB (4^′-OH-CB159) were assayed with [¹⁴-C]-UDPGA and separation of the [¹⁴-C]-glucuronide by ion-pair extraction and thin-layer chromatography. [¹⁴-C]-glucuronide conjugates were readily formed by polar bear liver microsomes in the absence of added substrate, apparently from contaminants present in liver. This phenomenon was not observed using hepatic microsomes from laboratory-held catfish. Glucuronidation efficiency was much higher with 4^′-OH-CB72 (K_m 7.3 μM; V_max 1.55 nmol/min/mg) than 4^′-OH-CB159 (K_m 16.1 μM; V_max 0.46 nmol/min/mg). The identities of the aglycones present in polar bear liver are not known, but could include OH-PCBs or hydroxylated metabolites of other persistent organic pollutants. This study demonstrates that UGT with high activity for 3-OH-BaP and other substrates is present in polar bear liver.     

GFP标记的迟缓爱德华菌感染诸氏鲻虾虎鱼后组织分布研究

为探讨迟缓爱德华菌(Edwarsiellatarda)入侵途径,建立感染模型,作者通过电转化法构建GFP标记的迟缓爱德华菌EtMc1512(质粒PMDpp-EGFP),实验设立浸泡组、腹腔注射组和肌肉注射组,感染后采集各组实验诸氏鲻虾虎鱼(Mugilogobius chulae)血液、鳃、肝脏、肠、肌肉,培养法统计分析各组织中的荧光细菌数;浸泡组取样时间为0、2、4、6、8、12、24 h,腹腔注射组和肌肉注射组取样时间为6、12、24、48、72、96h。结果显示,构建的EtMc1512-GFP具有较强荧光,GFP标记前后菌株毒力基因(citC、mukF、esrB、katB、fimA、gadB)检测结果均为阳性。浸泡感染后实验鱼各组织内的荧光菌随时间表现为先升后降的趋势,最高菌量出现在肠道(2.51×106CFU/g),其次为鳃(4.19×104CFU/g)、血液(1.65×104CFU/g),肠道荧光菌显著高于其他组织(P0.05);腹腔注射感染后肝脏(4.55×106CFU/g)和血液(4.65×106CFU/g)菌量最高;肌肉注射感染后肌肉在48h首先检出荧光菌,血液(2.93×104 CFU/g)菌量最高。结果表明,肠道、肝脏和肌肉分别是迟缓爱德华菌浸泡感染、腹腔注射感染和肌肉注射感染诸氏鲻虾虎鱼的主要组织器官,在自然条件下迟缓爱德华菌经口感染诸氏鲻虾虎鱼风险较高。     

胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔（Ruditapes philippinarum）呼吸排泄作用的现场研究

于2006年2月、5月、8月和11月四个季度月采用呼吸瓶法现场研究了胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔的呼吸排泄作用。结果表明,胶州湾菲律宾蛤仔呼吸排泄速率具有明显的季节变化趋势,春、夏季高于秋、冬季。不同生物学规格的蛤仔呼吸排泄速率具有明显的差异,单位个体耗氧率、排氨率和排磷率均随着个体大小的增加而增加,而单位体重的耗氧率、排氨率和排...     

Trophic transfer of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites between benthic marine organisms

This study was undertaken to determine the potential for trophic transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites from infaunal organisms to bottom-feeding fish. Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, were given single oral doses of ground polychaetes (Nereis virens), either treated with pure [¹⁴C]henzo[a]pyrene (BaP) or containing a mixture of naturally produced radiolabeled BaP and BaP metabolites. Fish were sacrificed 24 h after feeding and total accumulated radioactivity and metabolite class profiles determined in major organs. Metabolites produced by worms were absorbed by flounder, although as a percentage of dose given they were less available than parent BaP. Comparison of metabolite profiles in the worm diet and in target organs in the fish indicated that metabolites accumulated through the diet can be further modified by the prey organism and can lead to the formation of bound residues. These results demonstrate that PAH metabolites in the diet are available for accumulation. Furthermore, metabolites absorbed appear to be susceptible to metabolic alteration by consumer organisms.     

多管藻内生真菌Chaetomium globosum.苯甲醛类次生代谢成分研究

从采自青岛近海的红藻多管藻(Polysiphonia urceolata)中分离到一株毛壳霉属真菌球毛壳菌(Chaetomium globosum.),对其发酵代谢产物的化学成分进行了研究。采用溶剂提取、分配,硅胶柱层析、葡聚糖凝胶柱层析以及制备薄层层析等技术已分离获得6个单体化合物,通过一维、二维超导核磁共振技术、质谱技术等鉴定了其中4个化合物的结构,均为苯甲醛类衍生物,分别为2-(1-庚烯基)-3、6-二羟基-5-(3-甲基-2-丁烯基)苯甲醛(Ⅰ)、2-庚基-3、6-二羟基-5-(3-甲基-2-丁烯基)苯甲醛(Ⅱ)、2-(3、5-庚二烯基)-3、6-二羟基-5-(3-甲基-2-丁烯基)苯甲醛(Ⅲ)、2-(1、3、5-庚三烯基)-3、6-二羟基-5-(3-甲基-2-丁烯基)苯甲醛(Ⅳ)。     

o,p′-DDT induction of vitellogenesis and its inhibition by tamoxifen in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

In order to investigate the mechanism by which o,p′-DDT disrupts endocrine functioning of Nile tilapia in vivo, the estrogenicity of o,p′-DDT was investigated in conjunction with 17β-estradiol (E₂) and tamoxifen. Mature, male tilapia were treated intraperitoneally with o,p′-DDT (60 mg/kg, one dose) or E₂ (5 mg/kg, four doses) in the presence or absence of tamoxifen (5 mg/kg, six doses) for 12 days and then plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) (measured as alkaline-labile phosphorous), E₂, and testosterone (T) were measured. Vtg levels were increased dramatically by E₂ (1744±171 μg/ml) and moderately by o,p′-DDT (82±15 μg/ml) compared with controls (23±3.5 μg/ml). Tamoxifen alone had no effect on Vtg production, but inhibited both E₂ and o,p′-DDT stimulated vitellogenesis. T levels were reduced with E₂ administration (1688±383 pg/ml) and declined further with the combined treatment of E₂ and tamoxifen (281±70 pg/ml), compared with controls (6558±1438 pg/ml). Tamoxifen or o,p′-DDT alone did not affect T levels, but their combined treatment did (2069±647 pg/ml). The results of this study suggest that o,p′-DDT is weakly estrogenic in male tilapia, and that this activity may be mediated through the estrogen receptor.     

来源于印度洋深海区的烟曲霉次生代谢产物的研究

为了研究烟曲霉次生代谢产物,我们采用硅胶柱层析、sephadex LH-20凝胶柱层析、半制备液相色谱等分离方法对来源于印度洋深海区的烟曲霉(Aspergillus fumigatus)的乙醇提取液进行系统的次生代谢产物分离,根据所分离得到的化合物的理化性质和波谱数据确定化合物的结构。共分离鉴定了15个化合物,其中11个二酮哌嗪类生物碱(diketopiperazine),4个喹唑啉类衍生物(fumiquinazoline),分别为:fumitremorgin B(1),13-oxofumitremorgin B(2),fumitremorgin C(3),12-hydroxyfumitremorgin(13),3-hydroxyfumiquinazoline A(14)和fumiquinazoline E(15)。分离得到的15个化合物,丰富了烟曲霉次生代谢产物的类型,为烟曲霉的开发利用提供了化学研究基础。