PUBLICATION

Effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on lead bioconcentration and toxicity on thyroid endocrine system and neuronal development in zebrafish larvae

Authors
Miao, W., Zhu, B., Xiao, X., Li, Y., Dirbaba, N.B., Zhou, B., Wu, H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-150224-10
Date
2015
Source
Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)   161C: 117-126 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Li, Ying
Keywords
Bioconcentration, Developmental neurotoxicity, Pb, Thyroid disruption, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, Zebrafish larvae
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Endocrine System/drug effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
  • Lead/toxicity*
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Thyroid Gland/drug effects*
  • Thyroid Hormones/genetics
  • Thyroid Hormones/metabolism
  • Titanium/pharmacology*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical/pharmacology
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
PubMed
25703175 Full text @ Aquat. Toxicol.
CTD
25703175
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted considerable attention because of their wide range of applications. Interactions between heavy metals (e.g., Pb) and NPs in aquatic environments may modify the bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of NPs (e.g., nano-TiO2) on the bioavailability and toxicity of Pb and its effects in the thyroid endocrine and nervous systems of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. Zebrafish embryos (2-h post-fertilization) were exposed to five concentrations of Pb alone (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30μg/L) or in combination with nano-TiO2 (0.1mg/L) until 6 days post-fertilization. Results showed that the bioconcentration of Pb was significantly enhanced when combined with nano-TiO2 than when used alone. Zebrafish exposure to Pb alone at 30μg/L significantly decreased the thyroid hormone levels (T4 and T3), whereas nano-TiO2 treatment alone did not produce detectable changes. The levels of T4 and T3 were further decreased when Pb was combined with nano-TiO2 than when used alone. The transcription of the thyroid hormone-related factor tg gene was remarkably down-regulated by Pb treatment alone but up-regulated when Pb was combined with nano-TiO2. The significant up-regulation of tshβ gene and the down-regulation of TTR gene expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid were observed in Pb with or without nano-TiO2 treatment groups. In addition, the transcription of genes involved in central nervous system (CNS) development (α-tubulin, mbp, gfap and shha) were significantly down-regulated by Pb and nano-TiO2 co-exposure as compared with Pb exposure alone. The locomotion activity analyzes confirmed that nano-TiO2 might enhance the toxicity of Pb to CNS development. These results suggest that nano-TiO2 increase bioconcentration of lead, which lead to the disruption of thyroid endocrine and neuronal system in zebrafish larvae.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping