Assessment of gold nanoparticle effects in a marine teleost (Sparus aurata) using molecular and biochemical biomarkers

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are increasingly employed in a variety of applications and are likely tobe increasing in the environment, posing a potential emerging environmental threat. Information onpossible hazardous effects of engineered nanoparticles is urgently required to ensure human and envi-ronmental safety and promote the safe use of novel nanotechnologies. Nevertheless, there is a lack ofcomprehensive knowledge on AuNP effects in marine species. The present study aimed to assess AuNPeffects in a marine teleost, Sparus aurata, by combining endpoints at different biological levels (molecu-lar and biochemical). For that purpose, fish were exposed via water for 96 h to 4, 80 and 1600 g L−1ofAuNP (∼40 nm) coated with citrate or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Results revealed a significant impact ofAuNP-PVP in the hepatic expression of antioxidant, immune and apoptosis related genes. Total oxidativestatus was increased in plasma after exposure to the lowest concentration of AuNP-PVP, although with-out altering the total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, AuNP did not induce significant damage in theliver since the activity of neither hepatic indicator (aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase)increased. Overall, the present study demonstrated that AuNP, even with a biocompatible coating is ableto alter oxidative status and expression of relevant target genes in marine fish. Another important findingis that effects are mainly induced by the lowest and intermediate concentrations of the PVP coated AuNPrevealing the importance of different coatings.