human and veterinary medicine, agriculture and aquaculture purposes to protect the
life against various diseases and to improve human health. The extensive use of these
compounds may enter the environment through discharge of domestic waste waters,
excretion via water and sewage treatment systems which may affect the aquatic
organisms. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is one of the most commonly used
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) worldwide and has been detected in
aquatic bodies. Therefore, it is important to gain knowledge about the toxicity of
acetylsalicylic acid in aquatic organisms. Here we have administered 100 and
200 mg L
À1 of acetylsalicylic acid, to a freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio fingerlings,
and have studied its effects on haematological, enzymological biochemical and
antioxidant parameters. When compared to control, acetylsalicylic acid-treated fish
showed a significant (P < 0.05) decline in haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct) and
red blood cell (RBC) levels throughout the study period (12 days). On the other
hand, a significant (P < 0.05) increase was observed in white blood cell counts
(WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)
and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values. Acetylsalicylic
acid induced a hyperglycaemic condition compared to control, whereas the level of
proteins was declined. A significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was noted in acetylsalicylic acid-treated
groups (except 21st day in ALT activity and 21st day in AST activity). Significant
alterations in various antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD),
lipid peroxidase (LPO), catalase (CAT) glutathione (GSH) and glutathione
S-transferase (GST) were observed in ASA-treated groups compared to the control
group. From the results, it is noteworthy that the drug ASA even at considerable
environmental concentrations causes negative impacts on the health of aquatic
organisms. The alterations of these parameters can be effectively used to monitor
the impact of pharmaceutical drugs in the aquatic environment.
192
S. Siddeswaran et al.
life against various diseases and to improve human health. The extensive use of these
compounds may enter the environment through discharge of domestic waste waters,
excretion via water and sewage treatment systems which may affect the aquatic
organisms. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is one of the most commonly used
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) worldwide and has been detected in
aquatic bodies. Therefore, it is important to gain knowledge about the toxicity of
acetylsalicylic acid in aquatic organisms. Here we have administered 100 and
200 mg L
À1 of acetylsalicylic acid, to a freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio fingerlings,
and have studied its effects on haematological, enzymological biochemical and
antioxidant parameters. When compared to control, acetylsalicylic acid-treated fish
showed a significant (P < 0.05) decline in haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct) and
red blood cell (RBC) levels throughout the study period (12 days). On the other
hand, a significant (P < 0.05) increase was observed in white blood cell counts
(WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)
and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values. Acetylsalicylic
acid induced a hyperglycaemic condition compared to control, whereas the level of
proteins was declined. A significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was noted in acetylsalicylic acid-treated
groups (except 21st day in ALT activity and 21st day in AST activity). Significant
alterations in various antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD),
lipid peroxidase (LPO), catalase (CAT) glutathione (GSH) and glutathione
S-transferase (GST) were observed in ASA-treated groups compared to the control
group. From the results, it is noteworthy that the drug ASA even at considerable
environmental concentrations causes negative impacts on the health of aquatic
organisms. The alterations of these parameters can be effectively used to monitor
the impact of pharmaceutical drugs in the aquatic environment.
192
S. Siddeswaran et al.