title: PCB and OCP accumulation and evidence of hepatic alteration in the Atlantic bluefin tuna, T. thynnus, from the Mediterranean Sea.
abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are known to act as "obesogens", being fat-soluble and affecting lipid metabolism. The Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, are top pelagic predators prone to bioaccumulate and biomagnify environmental contaminants. This study aimed at evaluating POPs-induced ectopic lipid accumulation in liver of adult tuna from the Mediterranean Sea. PCBs and organochlorine pesticides were measured in tuna liver, and marked morphological changes observed, namely poorly compacted tissues, intense vacuolization, erythrocyte infiltration and presence of melanomacrophages. The expression of perilipin, a lipid-droplet marker, positively correlated with the gene expression of PPARγ, a master regulator of adipogenesis, and its heterodimeric partner, RXRα. Changes in metabolites involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and ketogenesis were also observed. Although male bluefin tuna appeared to be more sensitive than females to the adverse effects of environmental obesogens, the alterations observed in tuna liver of both sexes suggest a potential onset of hepatic steatosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: mmaisano@unime.it.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maisano
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cappello
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Natalotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giannetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parrino
authors.affiliation: ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.affiliation: ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Security, Territory, Food and Health, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvo
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Nunziacarla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spanò
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauceri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D014413:Tuna / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Biomagnification; Fish; Lipid metabolism; Liver; POPs; Pelagic; Thunnus thynnus