Optimization of the sublethal dose of silver nanoparticle through evaluating its effect on intestinal physiology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Biplab Sarkar*, Wenresti Gallardo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are widely used in a variety of biomedical and consumer products as an antimicrobial additive. The
present study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of low-dose SNPs on intestinal physiology of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)
for assessing its apparent environmental risk due to extensive commercial use. SNPs were synthesized by a chemical reduction
method yielding 1–27 nm oval shaped particles. Early fingerlings of tilapia were exposed with two sublethal concentrations (0.8 and
0.4 mg L¡1) of SNPs for twenty one days period and its impact on the intestinal physiology was evaluated by histochemistry,
catalase expression, glutamate dehydrogenase activity, SDS-PAGE and gut micro flora count. Histological analysis showed thinning
of intestinal wall, swelling on mucosal layer and immunohistochemical assay exhibited an enhanced catalase expression in SNPs
treated fishes. Gut microflora count elicited a dose-dependent depletion and a variable SDS-PAGE profile followed by significant
(P < 0.05) elevations in glutamate dehydrogenase activity in SNPs-treated fishes. This study was designed to provide a better
understanding of environmentally acceptable, dose-dependent SNPs delivery in fishes and to formulate guidelines in aquatic
toxicology.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)814–823
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume50
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Silver nanoparticle, intestine, sublethal toxicity, Nile tilapia, gut microflora, immunohistochemistry

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