Oxidative stress in muscle tissue of the freshwater fish, Pseudetroplus maculatus (Bloch 1795): A toxic response from exposure to fullerene (C60) nanoparticles

Abstract

Fullerenes are the manufactured nanoparticles that possess lipophilic properties so that they are able to permeate through the cellular membranes. The goal of this study was to examine the consequences of fullerene nanoparticles on the induction of oxidative stress in muscle tissue of the freshwater fish Pseudetroplus maculatus (Bloch 1795). In the present study, the exposure of fullerene at 0.1 mg.L-1 concentration for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h indicates that the nanoparticles have a potential role to induce oxidative stress in muscle tissue of fish. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase decreased significantly (p<0.05) after 72 and 96 h of toxicant exposure. However, the levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation increased significantly (p<0.05) after 72 and 96 h of treatment in muscle tissue. The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases in muscle tissue were also evaluated. It was found that the activities of both enzymes showed significant (p<0.05) reduction at the end of 72 and 96 h of fullerene exposure. The present findings provide good evidence that fullerene nanoparticles induced oxidative stress in the muscle tissue of fish. In addition, the changes in the phosphatase enzymes indicate that fullerene also altered the metabolic processes in the muscle tissue of fish.