Identification of biomarkers responsive to chronic exposure to pharmaceuticals in target tissues of Carcinus maenas

A 28-day bioassay was performed with Carcinus maenas to evaluate chronic effects caused by exposure to caffeine and ibuprofen (0.1–50 μg L−1) in sea water. Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) was evaluated in hemolymph applying the neutral red retention assay (NRRA); several biomarkers including ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase (DBF), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage were studied in gill, hepatopancreas, muscle and gonad tissues. In crabs exposed to environmental concentrations of the drugs, retention time was reduced by 50%. EROD and DBFOD activities were induced by caffeine in muscle and hepatopancreas tissues (p < 0.05); GST activity was activated by ibuprofen in gill, hepatopancreas and muscle at the highest concentrations tested (p < 0.05). All tissues showed GPX activity and LPO induction (p < 0.05). Crabs exposed to caffeine and ibuprofen showed evidence of DNA damage mainly in hepatopancreas tissues (p < 0.05). Environmental concentrations of pharmaceuticals induce LMS and the biochemical responses studied in this crab. This methodology is a suitable technique for assessing pharmaceutical toxicity in the marine environment.

► Study of biological and biochemical biomarkers in target tissues of Carcinus maenas.
► Crabs were exposed to dissolved caffeine and ibuprofen during 28-days.
► Significant biomarker responses induction was showed with increasing concentrations.
► Most reliable tissues for biochemical analysis were hepatopancreas and gills.
► Biomarkers applied are suitable responses for pharmaceutical toxicity assessment.