Effects of Propranolol on Young African Catfish Size and Blood Chemistry

Jim Crocker
21st June, 2024

Effects of Propranolol on Young African Catfish Size and Blood Chemistry

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from the University of Nigeria examined the effects of propranolol on Clarias gariepinus juveniles
  • Propranolol exposure led to decreased red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, and packed cell volume, impairing the fish's oxygen-carrying capacity
  • White blood cell count increased, indicating an immune response to propranolol exposure
Pharmaceuticals, while beneficial for human health, have become a significant environmental contaminant. Recent research from the University of Nigeria[1] explores the impact of propranolol (PRO), a beta-blocker used to treat anxiety, chest pain, migraine, and tremors, on Clarias gariepinus juveniles, a species of fish. This study is crucial as it sheds light on the sublethal effects of PRO on aquatic organisms, contributing to the broader understanding of pharmaceutical pollution in water bodies. Pharmaceutical contaminants in the environment have been a growing concern over the past few decades. They have been detected in various water sources, soils, and sludges, posing chronic and acute risks to natural flora and fauna[2]. A global-scale study highlighted that active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are prevalent in rivers worldwide, with high concentrations observed in regions with inadequate wastewater management[3]. These contaminants, including beta-blockers like propranolol, can adversely affect ecosystems and human health. The University of Nigeria study aimed to determine the effects of sublethal concentrations of propranolol on the body condition, biochemistry, and hematology of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. The researchers first established the 96-hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of propranolol at 9.48 mg/L through an acute toxicity study. They then exposed the fish to sublethal concentrations of 1.90, 0.95, and 0.63 mg/L (equivalent to 1/5th, 1/10th, and 1/20th of the LC50, respectively) for 21 days, followed by a 7-day recovery period in toxicant-free water. The study found that the condition factor (CF) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of the fish were not significantly affected by propranolol exposure. However, there were notable changes in their hematological parameters. The red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) count, and packed cell volume (PCV) decreased from day 7 to 21 at the tested concentrations, while the white blood cell (WBC) count significantly increased. These changes in blood parameters indicate that propranolol exposure can impair the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and stimulate an immune response in the fish. Further alterations were observed in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) in the exposed groups compared to the control group. An increase in neutrophil counts and a decrease in lymphocyte counts were also recorded, suggesting an immune modulation effect due to propranolol exposure. However, the counts of monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils remained unaffected. Among the liver enzymes studied, only aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly stimulated in the exposed groups. This enzyme's elevation indicates potential liver stress or damage. Additionally, the protein and glucose levels in the fish exposed to propranolol decreased, pointing towards a metabolic disruption. Interestingly, most of the studied parameters returned to their original values after the 7-day recovery period in toxicant-free water. This suggests that the fish have a capacity for recovery once the exposure to the contaminant ceases. The findings of this study are significant as they provide insights into the sublethal effects of propranolol on aquatic organisms, emphasizing the need for monitoring and regulating pharmaceutical contaminants in water bodies. The results align with previous concerns about the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals[2][3] and underscore the importance of improved wastewater management to mitigate these effects. In conclusion, the University of Nigeria's research highlights the detrimental effects of propranolol on Clarias gariepinus juveniles at sublethal concentrations. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the environmental risks posed by pharmaceutical contaminants and underscores the need for effective remediation strategies to protect aquatic ecosystems.

HealthBiochemAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Biomorphometric and hematobiochemical alterations in the juvenile african catfish Clarias gariepinus exposed to propranolol

Published 20th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-024-00196-x

Related Studies

2) Pharmaceuticals of Emerging Concern in Aquatic Systems: Chemistry, Occurrence, Effects, and Removal Methods.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00299

3) Pharmaceutical pollution of the world's rivers.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2113947119


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙