Graphical Abstract
Keywords Acetylsalicylic acid, Biomarkers, Cyprinus carpio, NSAIDs
1 Introduction
Over the past 30 years, environmental pollution has been increasing at an alarming
rate. Industrialization, modern agricultural practices and infinite use of pharmaceuticals in medicine release xenobiotics into the environment [1]. Pharmaceuticals are
bioactive chemical compounds used in diagnosis, treatment or alleviation of disease,
improving health status as well as to revamp normal physiology in organisms
[2]. Besides human medication, veterinary sectors (livestock, poultry and aquaculture) rely on the application of pharmaceutical products such as antibiotics and
hormones, to promote growth, biological functions and health conditions
[3]. Ramesh et al. [4] have reported that about 200 million kg of antibiotics used
all over the world flow into water bodies (rivers, lakes and sea) annually causing
water pollution.
The indiscriminate use of pharmaceuticals in human and veterinary medicine has
caused contamination of aquatic ecosystem [5], perhaps affecting the health of
aquatic organisms. Fish and marine mammals which occupy the upper trophic
Toxicity Assessment of Acetylsalicylic Acid to a Freshwater Fish Cyprinus. . .
193
Keywords Acetylsalicylic acid, Biomarkers, Cyprinus carpio, NSAIDs
1 Introduction
Over the past 30 years, environmental pollution has been increasing at an alarming
rate. Industrialization, modern agricultural practices and infinite use of pharmaceuticals in medicine release xenobiotics into the environment [1]. Pharmaceuticals are
bioactive chemical compounds used in diagnosis, treatment or alleviation of disease,
improving health status as well as to revamp normal physiology in organisms
[2]. Besides human medication, veterinary sectors (livestock, poultry and aquaculture) rely on the application of pharmaceutical products such as antibiotics and
hormones, to promote growth, biological functions and health conditions
[3]. Ramesh et al. [4] have reported that about 200 million kg of antibiotics used
all over the world flow into water bodies (rivers, lakes and sea) annually causing
water pollution.
The indiscriminate use of pharmaceuticals in human and veterinary medicine has
caused contamination of aquatic ecosystem [5], perhaps affecting the health of
aquatic organisms. Fish and marine mammals which occupy the upper trophic
Toxicity Assessment of Acetylsalicylic Acid to a Freshwater Fish Cyprinus. . .
193