Effects of iron oxide nanoparticles on the antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation of liver in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of nanoparticles in different concentrations. Iron nanoparticles are widely used as a contrasting element in nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI), as well as for thermotherapy of cancer cells. A batch of juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio) averaged of 11 ± 0.8 cm in length and 17 ± 0. 6 g in weight were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for 2 weeks prior to the experiments. After exposure to different concentrations (10, 30 and 50.0 mg.L-1) of waterborne nano-iron for 0, 1, 7 and 14 days, the variation in antioxidant enzymes activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver of the fish were evaluated. The results showed that exposure to nanoparticles led to a significant time-related change in antioxidant enzymes activity and increase in MDA level (p<0.05). Alteration found in the antioxidant defense systems is considered as a biological response to exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of nano-iron by exhibiting an obvious adaptive threshold. Therefore, that the biomarkers such as antioxidant enzymes and MDA level can be used for monitoring oxidative stress in carp.