Short and long-term effects of clofibric acid and diclofenac on certain biochemical and ionoregulatory responses in an Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala

Extensive use of pharmaceuticals in human and veterinary medicine and aquaculture practices pose a serious threat to aquatic organisms. In the present investigation, Cirrhinus mrigala an Indian major carp was exposed to different concentrations of clofibric acid (CA) and diclofenac (DCF) and certain biochemical and ionoregulatory responses were assessed under short and long term exposures. During short-term (96 h) exposure period, plasma glucose and sodium (Na+) levels were increased at all concentrations (1, 10 and 100 μg L−1) of CA and DCF treated fish. Plasma protein and chloride (Cl−) levels were found to be decreased at all concentrations of CA and DCF exposed fish comparatively to control groups. Meanwhile an increase in plasma potassium (K+) level was noted in fish exposed to CA treatments alone and in DCF treatments it was decreased. In long-term exposure (35 d), plasma Na+ and Cl− levels were found to be significantly increased at all concentration of CA and DCF. However, a biphasic trend was observed in plasma glucose, protein and K+ levels. In both the treatments, a significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) changes were observed in all parameters measured in fish exposed to different concentrations of CA and DCF. The results of the present investigation indicate that both the drugs caused significant changes in biochemical and ionoregulatory responses of fish at all concentrations. The alterations of these parameters can be useful in monitoring of pharmaceutical residues present in aquatic environment.