title: Molecular and cellular response of earthworm Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) to PCDD/Fs exposure.
abstract: The acute toxicity of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was investigated in the earthworm Eisenia andrei using filter paper toxicity test. Protein content, catalase (CAT) activity, and histology of intestinal wall (chloragogen cells and intestinal epithelium) were investigated in earthworms exposed for 48 h to 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ng/cm2PCDD/Fs. The results showed an increase in the total protein content 1.56- (p = 0.104), 1.66- (p = 0.042), and 2.26-fold (p < 0.001), respectively, compared to control. The average ± standard deviation of tissular CAT activity showed no significant differences; it was 36.01 ± 7.65, 36.17 ± 9.45, 36.08 ± 9.80, and 40.01 ± 6.98 U/g tissue, respectively. However, the average specific activity of CAT ± standard deviation was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) at all doses compared to control; it was 2.93 ± 0.42, 1.93 ± 0.53, 1.80 ± 0.38, and 1.53 ± 0.44 U/mg protein, respectively. There was a progressive damage in both of the intestinal villi and the chloragogenous tissue associated with the incrementing doses. Since the toxic mixture altered the investigated biomarkers of E. andrei within 48 h, the cellular and molecular alterations resulted from the filter paper contact test could be utilized as a rapid toxicity assessment tool of environmental contamination with dioxins/furans and to assess consequent potential adverse effects on soil biota and other organisms in the ecosystem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology/Toxicology Unit, Faculty of Science and Art, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan. sdnusair@just.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Shreen Deeb
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Nusair
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
authors.forename: Yousef Sa'id
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Abu Zarour
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004147:Dioxins; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002374:Catalase
keywords: Acute toxicity tests; Catalase; Dioxins; Earthworms; Eisenia worms; Furans; Histology; Proteins