Toxic effects of pure anatoxin-a on biomarkers of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Anatoxin-a is a neurotoxin produced by various bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Although it shows widespread occurrence and is highly toxic to rodents, its mechanisms of action and biotransformation, and effects in fish species are still poorly understood. The main aim of this study was, thus, to investigate sub-lethal effects of anatoxin-a on selected biochemical markers in rainbow trout fry in order to get information about the mechanisms of toxicity and biotransformation of this toxin in fish. Trout fry were administered sub-lethal doses of anatoxin-a (0.08-0.31 μg g−1) intraperitoneally. Livers and muscle tissue were collected 72 h later for quantification of key enzyme activities as biochemical markers. Enzymes assessed in muscle tissues were related to cholinergic transmission (acetylcholinesterase [AChE]), energy metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase [IDH]). Enzymes assessed in the liver were involved in biotransformation (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase [EROD] and glutathione S-transferases [GST]). The results indicated a significant increasing trend for AChE activity with the dose of anatoxin-a, possibly representing an attempt to cope with overstimulation of muscle activity by the toxin, which competes with acetylcholine for nicotinic receptors binding. Anatoxin-a was also found to significantly induce the activities of liver EROD and GST, indicating the involvement of phase I and II biotransformation in its detoxification. Likewise, lactate dehydrogenase activity recorded in fry muscle increased significantly with the dose of anatoxin-a, suggesting an induction of the anaerobic pathway of energy production to deal with toxic stress induced by the exposure. Altogether, the results suggest that under continued exposure in the wild fish may experience motor difficulties, possibly becoming vulnerable to predators, and be at increased metabolic demand to cope with energetic requirements imposed by anatoxin-a biotransformation mechanisms.