Biochemical and Pathophysiological Responses in Capoeta capoeta under Lethal and Sub-Lethal Exposures of Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

The increasing use of nano-based products raises concerns regarding potential risks related to their manufacturing, transportation, waste disposal, and management operations. We used the riverine carp, Capoeta capoeta, as an aquatic animal model to demonstrate the acute toxicity of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). This study focuses on acute toxicity first, and then integrates the findings through histopathology, hematological, and biochemical testing of lethal and sub-lethal Ag-NPs exposures. Red blood corpuscles (RBC), white blood corpuscles (WBC), hematocrit, and total serum glucose levels were significantly lower in Ag-NPs-exposed fish than in control fish. Total serum protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, and albumin were all significantly greater in exposed fish. This research focused on the impacts of Ag-NPs on gills and liver tissue, and it was found that the level of injury escalated as the concentration of Ag NPs increased. Epithelial lifting of secondary lamellas (ELSL), epithelial hypertrophy (EH) of secondary lamellae (SL), leukocyte infiltration (LI), and bottom hyperplasia (BH) were all detected in Ag-NPs-exposed fish. In Ag-NPs-treated liver cross-sections of Capoeta capoeta, macrophage aggregates (MA), fatty liver (FL), sinusoid dilatation (SD), and necrosis (N) were identified. Ag-NPs dosages, according to biomarker representations, elicit stress-specific biochemical and physiological effects, compromising the general overall health status of aquatic animals. The gradients of toxic responses across exposure concentrations and portrayals of disrupted fish health with increasing silver nanoparticle exposure time indicate a reduced physiological ability for surviving in the wild.