Biliary 1-hydroxypyrene as a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was the assessment of the Svitava and Svratka rivers contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations in fish bile as a biomarker.


METHODS
Levels of 1-OHP were determined by reverse phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. For valid assessment of bile accumulation levels, the 1-OHP concentration was normalized to the biliary protein content. The content of 1-OHP was correlated with the PAH content of river bottom sediments.


RESULTS
The highest level of 1-OHP in fish bile (136.1 ng.mg-1 protein) was found at the locality Rajhradice, which is situated downstream of Brno. Also the greatest level of sum of PAHs was found at this locality (17.1 microg.g-1 dry mass). Significant positive correlation (p< or =0.05) between the level of 1-OHP and sum of PAHs in sediment was found only in case of sediments collected in the same month as fish samples (in June).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results document that 1-OHP in fish bile is a suitable biochemical marker for the assessment of aquatic ecosystem contamination by PAHs.
Blahova
Jana
J
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic. blahovaj@vfu.cz
Kruzikova
Kamila
K
Hilscherova
Klara
K
Grabic
Roman
R
Halirova
Jarmila
J
Jurcikova
Jana
J
Ocelka
Tomas
T
Svobodova
Zdenka
Z
D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000502:physiology; D018153:Czech Republic; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005618:Fresh Water; D009153:Mutagens / Q000378:metabolism*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D009153:Mutagens; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011506:Proteins; D011721:Pyrenes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene