Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the histology, liver physiological and metabolism, and intestinal microbiota of grouper

Yafei Duan; Yukai Yang; Zhe Zhang; Yifu Xing; Hua Li

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114600

Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the histology, liver physiological and metabolism, and intestinal microbiota of grouper

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Feb:187:114600. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114600. Epub 2023 Jan 16.

Authors

Yafei Duan¹, Yukai Yang², Zhe Zhang³, Yifu Xing³, Hua Li⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, PR China; Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization and Processing of Marine Fishery Resources of Hainan Province, Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya 572018, PR China. Electronic address: duanyafei89@163.com.
² Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, PR China; Shenzhen Base of South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shenzhen 518121, PR China.
³ Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, PR China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, PR China; Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization and Processing of Marine Fishery Resources of Hainan Province, Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya 572018, PR China.

PMID: 36652857
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114600

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) are a common environmental pollutant threatening aquatic animals. The natural habitats and cultured environments of groupers make them vulnerable to nanoparticle pollution. In this study, hybrid grouper juveniles were separately exposed to 1 or 10 mg/L nano-TiO₂ for 14 days, and the toxicological response of these groupers were investigated. After nano-TiO₂ exposure, the liver showed apparent histopathology and intestinal goblet cells were also affected. The transcription of antioxidant and apoptosis-related genes were down-regulated, and the inflammatory factor TNF-α was up-regulated in the liver. The metabolite patterns of the liver were disturbed, especially amino acid metabolism. The diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota were also altered especially the genera Lactobacillus and Nautella. The changes of several intestinal bacteria were correlated with the immune factors and metabolites of respective hosts. We concluded that nano-TiO₂ exposure negatively affects the physiological homeostasis of groupers.

Keywords: Grouper; Immunity; Intestinal microbiota; Metabolites; Nanoparticles.

MeSH terms

Animals
Bass*
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Liver
Nanoparticles* / toxicity
Titanium / toxicity

Substances

titanium dioxide
Titanium