The main toxic effect of fluoride in cells depends on its interaction with enzymes, acting as an enzyme inhibitor and interrupting metabolic processes, such as glycolysis and protein synthesis. We carried out experiments on the marine clam Venerupis philippinarum, in order to study its fluoride accumulation capability- exposing the animals to the nominal concentrations of 80, 160, 320 and 640 mg/l in filtered seawater. In addition we studied the effects of the exposure of their haemocytes to NaF (10, 50 and 250 mg/L) in filtered seawater (FSW), for 60 min. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in cell mortality, as detected with the Trypan Blue assay, was reported for all the concentrations used in our experiments. A decrease in the stability of the internal membranes was observed with the Neutral Red assay, after exposure to 250 mg/L as the dye, usually accumulating inside acid compartments, such as lysosomes, leaks from these compartments into the cytoplasm so that the cells assume a pinkish colour. A significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the fraction of phagocytosing cells was observed at all the used concentrations suggesting an effect of fluoride ions on actin cytoskeleton. The observed increase in the cell shape factor in haemocytes exposed to 250 mg/L, indicating a decrease in the capability of haemocytes to assume a spreading morphology, fits the above hypothesis.

Fluoride accumulation and its effects on haemocytes of the Venus clam Venerupis philippinarum

CASELLATO, SANDRA;MASIERO, LUCIANO;BALLARIN, LORIANO;
2013

Abstract

The main toxic effect of fluoride in cells depends on its interaction with enzymes, acting as an enzyme inhibitor and interrupting metabolic processes, such as glycolysis and protein synthesis. We carried out experiments on the marine clam Venerupis philippinarum, in order to study its fluoride accumulation capability- exposing the animals to the nominal concentrations of 80, 160, 320 and 640 mg/l in filtered seawater. In addition we studied the effects of the exposure of their haemocytes to NaF (10, 50 and 250 mg/L) in filtered seawater (FSW), for 60 min. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in cell mortality, as detected with the Trypan Blue assay, was reported for all the concentrations used in our experiments. A decrease in the stability of the internal membranes was observed with the Neutral Red assay, after exposure to 250 mg/L as the dye, usually accumulating inside acid compartments, such as lysosomes, leaks from these compartments into the cytoplasm so that the cells assume a pinkish colour. A significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the fraction of phagocytosing cells was observed at all the used concentrations suggesting an effect of fluoride ions on actin cytoskeleton. The observed increase in the cell shape factor in haemocytes exposed to 250 mg/L, indicating a decrease in the capability of haemocytes to assume a spreading morphology, fits the above hypothesis.
2013
PRIMO 17 abstracts
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/2644853
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