title: Short-Term Effects of Albendazole on the Oxidative Stress Markers and Hematological Parameters in Tissues of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus.
abstract: Albendazole (ABZ) is a typical broad-spectrum benzimidazole drug used for the treatment of parasitic worm infestations in humans and animals. The present study investigated the oxidative stress biomarkers and hematological parameters in juvenile African Catfish (also known as Sharptooth Catfish) Clarias gariepinus exposed to ABZ for 96 h. Fish were exposed to 0 (control) 20, 40, and 60 mg/L ABZ. The liver and gill tissues were sampled at regular intervals of 24 h, and the results showed significant concentration- and time-dependent increases in the values of lipid peroxidation but reductions in glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase in both tissues. Erythrocytes were sampled to evaluate hematological parameters. The results showed significant concentration- and time-dependent increases in white blood cells but no significant differences in mean cellular hemoglobin. Hemoglobin values, red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration decreased significantly over the experimental period. The activities of lymphocytes and neutrophils increased significantly, whereas there were no significant differences in basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes among the treatment groups. Albendazole should be used with caution, as sublethal concentrations induced oxidative stress in the liver and gill tissues along with hematological changes that were more evident in liver cells. Received November 20, 2015; accepted May 4, 2015.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christopher Didigwu
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Nwani
authors.affiliation: a Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gregory Ejike
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Odo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Alfreda O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Nwadinigwe
authors.affiliation: b Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Onyeke
authors.affiliation: a Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chinedu Ifeanyi
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Atama
authors.affiliation: a Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Godwin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ngwu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Stanley N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Oluah
authors.affiliation: c Department of Vocational Teacher Education , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Juliana Adimonye
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ukonze
authors.affiliation: d Department of Agricultural Economics/CDR , University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bridget Chidi A
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Ezeibe
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002397:Catfishes / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015415:Biomarkers; D015766:Albendazole