Daphnia magna exposure to acetylsalicylic acid gave as a result an effective
concentration for malformations EC 50 of 118 mg/L, and for Brachydanio fish, the
biological response to acetylsalicylic acid showed a more sensitive behavior, with an
LC 50 of 37 mg/L and a pulse reduction at 50 mg/L [52].
Cyprinus carpio was exposed to 0.004, 0.04, 0.4, 4, and 20 mg/L of
acetylsalicylic acid; the hatching rate was significantly higher in the exposed embryo
group compared to the control in concentrations of 0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/L. In
terms of mortality, it remained lower than 17% in the exposed groups as well as in
the control group; a reduction in development was observed after day 6 of exposure
to 20 mg/L and on day 13 in groups exposed to 0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/L; while at
the end of the experiment, a stimulation was observed in the development of
organisms exposed to 0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/L compared to the control group; in
contrast, at 20 mg/L, a diminution in development was observed. Numerous abnormalities in development were observed axial hyperpigmentation and/or lateral curvature of the spine as well as dermal alterations and an increase in mucous cells to
name some; also there was a decrease in body weight at 20 mg/L; however, as the
concentration of pharmaceutical was minor, body weight was increased. With regard
to the oxidative stress tests, an increase in lipoperoxidation and a decrease in the
activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, GPX, and GR were determined; finally a
LOEC of 0.004 mg/L was obtained, and at this concentration, histopathological
damage was observed [55].
2 Conclusions
Pharmaceutical products are substances that were designed to have a biological
effect, to either prevent or treat a disease; however, their constant use and elimination
towards the aquatic environment during several years have generated an alarming
problem; due to its effects on most aquatic organisms still unknown, on the other
hand, scientific groups have special attention in the study of the effects that pharmaceuticals can generate in different organisms. NSAIDs are the most consumed
and eliminated group of drugs worldwide, and numerous effects have been
evidenced in aquatic organisms and in the environment; however, research in early
stages of development are scarce; nevertheless some research showed toxic effects
that these pharmaceuticals can generate at environmentally relevant concentrations
in early stages of development; this stage of life is important because it is the stage in
which organisms are more susceptible to damage. More studies related to drug
toxicity in organisms at early stages of development are necessary since it is the
most critical period of development because embryos are at the topmost in cell
division and differentiation and in the process of tissue and organ formation.
Teratogenesis and Embryotoxicity Induced by Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory. . .
125
concentration for malformations EC 50 of 118 mg/L, and for Brachydanio fish, the
biological response to acetylsalicylic acid showed a more sensitive behavior, with an
LC 50 of 37 mg/L and a pulse reduction at 50 mg/L [52].
Cyprinus carpio was exposed to 0.004, 0.04, 0.4, 4, and 20 mg/L of
acetylsalicylic acid; the hatching rate was significantly higher in the exposed embryo
group compared to the control in concentrations of 0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/L. In
terms of mortality, it remained lower than 17% in the exposed groups as well as in
the control group; a reduction in development was observed after day 6 of exposure
to 20 mg/L and on day 13 in groups exposed to 0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/L; while at
the end of the experiment, a stimulation was observed in the development of
organisms exposed to 0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/L compared to the control group; in
contrast, at 20 mg/L, a diminution in development was observed. Numerous abnormalities in development were observed axial hyperpigmentation and/or lateral curvature of the spine as well as dermal alterations and an increase in mucous cells to
name some; also there was a decrease in body weight at 20 mg/L; however, as the
concentration of pharmaceutical was minor, body weight was increased. With regard
to the oxidative stress tests, an increase in lipoperoxidation and a decrease in the
activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, GPX, and GR were determined; finally a
LOEC of 0.004 mg/L was obtained, and at this concentration, histopathological
damage was observed [55].
2 Conclusions
Pharmaceutical products are substances that were designed to have a biological
effect, to either prevent or treat a disease; however, their constant use and elimination
towards the aquatic environment during several years have generated an alarming
problem; due to its effects on most aquatic organisms still unknown, on the other
hand, scientific groups have special attention in the study of the effects that pharmaceuticals can generate in different organisms. NSAIDs are the most consumed
and eliminated group of drugs worldwide, and numerous effects have been
evidenced in aquatic organisms and in the environment; however, research in early
stages of development are scarce; nevertheless some research showed toxic effects
that these pharmaceuticals can generate at environmentally relevant concentrations
in early stages of development; this stage of life is important because it is the stage in
which organisms are more susceptible to damage. More studies related to drug
toxicity in organisms at early stages of development are necessary since it is the
most critical period of development because embryos are at the topmost in cell
division and differentiation and in the process of tissue and organ formation.
Teratogenesis and Embryotoxicity Induced by Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory. . .
125