title: Oxidative and genetic responses induced by Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) to Dreissena polymorpha.
abstract: Cannabis is the most used illicit substance worldwide and its main psychoactive compound, the Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC), is detected in aquatic environments at measurable concentrations. Even though its occurrence is well documented, no information is available on its hazard to aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the adverse effects induced to zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) specimens by 14 day exposures to environmentally relevant Δ-9-THC concentrations (0.05 μg/L and 0.5 μg/L) by means of the application of a biomarker suite. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, as well as the lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl content (PCC), were measured as oxidative stress indices. The single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay, the DNA diffusion assay and the micronucleus test (MN test) were applied to investigate DNA injuries, while the neutral red retention assay (NRRA) was used to assess Δ-9-THC cytotoxicity. The lowest treatment induced negligible adverse effects to bivalves, while 0.5 μg/L Δ-9-THC exposure caused remarkable alterations in D. polymorpha oxidative status, which lead to significant increase of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and DNA damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: marco.parolini@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parolini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Binelli
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D049875:Dreissena / Q000187:drug effects*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007558:Italy; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009499:Neutral Red; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009499:Neutral Red; D013759:Dronabinol; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase
keywords: Dreissena polymorpha; Genetic and oxidative stress biomarkers; Illicit drugs; Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC)