title: Neurotoxic potential of ingested ZnO nanomaterials on bees.
abstract: The honey bee is among most important pollinators threatened by environmental pollution, pest control and potentially, by products of nanotechnologies. The aim of the current study was an analysis of the neurotoxic potential of ingested zinc oxide nanomaterials (ZnO NMs) or zinc ions (Zn(2+)) on honey bees. We analysed a variety of biomarkers, including metabolic impairment, feeding rate, and survival, as well as the activities of a stress-related enzyme glutathione S-transferase, and the neurotoxicity biomarker acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase activity was found to be elevated in bees exposed to either of the tested substances. In addition, we observed increased feeding rate in the group treated with Zn(2+) but not with ZnO NMs or control group. The observed effects we relate primarily to Zn(2+) ions. Here we provide evidence that zinc ions either originating from Zn salt or Zn-based NPs have a neurotoxic potential and thus might contribute to colony survival.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Milivojević
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Glavan
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Janko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Božič
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sepčić
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mesarič
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia; Centre of Excellence in Advanced Materials and Technologies for the Future (CO NAMASTE), Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Centre of Excellence in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CO Nanocenter), Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: damjana.drobne@bf.uni-lj.si.
authors.forename: Damjana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drobne
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000633:toxicity*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D015032:Zinc / Q000633:toxicity*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D015032:Zinc; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Apis mellifera; Glutathione-S-transferase; Nanotechnology; Toxicity; Zinc ions; Zinc oxide