title: Effects of the pharmaceuticals gemfibrozil and diclofenac on the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.) and their comparison with standardized toxicity tests.
abstract: Human pharmaceuticals, like the lipid lowering agent gemfibrozil and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac are causing environmental concern. In this study, the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.) was exposed by injection to environmentally relevant and elevated (1 μg/L and 1000 μg/L) concentrations of both compounds and biomarker expression was observed. Gemfibrozil exposure induced biomarkers of stress (glutathione S-transferase and metallothionein) at both concentrations 24h and 96 h after exposure, respectively. Biomarkers of damage (lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage) were significantly affected, as well as the biomarker for reproduction, alkali-labile phosphate assay, indicating the potential oxidative stress and endocrine disrupting effect of gemfibrozil. Diclofenac significantly induced LPO after 96 h indicating tissue damage. Additionally standard toxicity tests using the marine species Vibrio fischeri, Skeletonema costatum and Tisbe battagliai showed differences in sensitivity to both drugs in the mg/L range. Results indicate a suite of tests should be used to give accurate information for regulation.
authors.affiliation: Irish Centre for Environmental Toxicology, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland. schmidt.wiebke@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Wiebke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernan
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quinn
mesh_terms: D048908:Aliivibrio fischeri; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000633:toxicity*; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000633:toxicity*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D049878:Mytilus; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D004008:Diclofenac; D008668:Metallothionein; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D015248:Gemfibrozil