Liver histology and ultrastructure of the Italian newt (Lissotriton italicus): Normal structure and modifications after acute exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylates

We examined, from a morphological and ultrastructural point of view, the liver of the Italian newt (Lissotriton italicus), under basal conditions and after exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). Nonylphenol ethoxylates are surfactants widely used in a variety of industrial and agricultural processes that may pose a significant risk to aquatic fauna. NPEs, and their degradation intermediates, are known to affect reproductive biology acting as endocrine disruptors; besides estrogenic effects, nonylphenolic compounds may induce organ toxicity, particularly in liver and gonads. We investigated the effects of a nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE10-ETO) on L. italicus liver using two low concentrations, consistent with the environmental concentrations. For this purpose, animals were exposed to nominal concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/L in a short-term experiment (96 h). A morpho-functional analysis was performed in order to investigate the amphibian responses to NPEs thus contributing to elucidate other potential mode of action of these compounds; indeed very little attention has been dedicated to amphibians though they are often exposed to such contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Pathological alterations on liver histology and ultrastructure were observed at both tested concentrations; the main effects recorded were: increase of intercellular spaces, accumulation of large lipid droplets, increase in melanin content, and a degeneration phenomenon. We also detected, through confocal analysis, the induction of caspase-3, a key mediator of apoptosis, and an up-regulation of cytochrome P450-1A. By using both ultrastructural and a morpho-functional approach, we found that a short-term exposure to NPEs negatively affected the amphibian liver.