4.7 Mefenamic Acid
Collard et al. [127] conducted a study to assess the endocrine disrupting effects and
the chronic toxicity effects of mefenamic acid (MFA) in three different freshwater
species. For this purpose, two crustaceans, D. magna and M. macrocopa, and one
fish, D. rerio, were exposed to several concentrations of this NSAID. After chronic
exposure, in both crustaceans, the population growth was considerably reduced,
whereas, in zebrafish, vitellogenin gene expression and several hypothalamuspituitary-gonad transcription genes were significantly affected.
4.8 Nimesulide
NIM exhibited a significant bioaccumulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels,
reaching tissue concentrations of up 43.72 ng/g. Furthermore, immunological
parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were affected in this bivalves species,
after they were exposed to 25 μg/L of this NSAID.
In general, oxidative stress, embryotoxicity, and histopathological studies have
been thoroughly investigated in NSAIDs. However, information regarding the
effects of these drugs on the sex hormone balance of nontargeted organisms have
been poorly investigated. Future works should examine the endocrine disruption
potential of NSAIDs in a multigeneration exposure.
Since NSAIDs are mainly bioactivated to prooxidant substances, Nunes et al.
[105] demonstrated oxidative stress may impair the activity of cholinesterase. It is
recommended to study in extent the neurotoxicological effects of these pollutants in
aquatic species.
Unlike the wide information found regarding toxic effects induced by DCF, PCT,
IBF, and ASA in aquatic organisms, NSAIDs such as NIM, MFA, NPX, and KTP
have received less importance. Further evaluation of the toxicity of these pharmaceuticals for nontarget aquatic organisms is necessary.
5 Conclusions
Several studies have confirmed the high and ubiquitous occurrence of NSAIDs in the
freshwater. However, no information have been reported on the occurrence of this
pollutants in the marine environments. Moreover, there is a lack of interest and
necessity for monitoring the occurrence of NSAIDs in ground and drinking water. It
is recommended to assess in depth the occurrence, behavior, and fate of these
pollutants in these water bodies, as their consumption is likely to increase.
Removal of NSAIDs during primary treatment has been shown to be minimal,
whereas in secondary treatment, they are highly biodegradable in both aerobic and
32
G. A. Elizalde-Velázquez and L. M. Gómez-Oliván
Collard et al. [127] conducted a study to assess the endocrine disrupting effects and
the chronic toxicity effects of mefenamic acid (MFA) in three different freshwater
species. For this purpose, two crustaceans, D. magna and M. macrocopa, and one
fish, D. rerio, were exposed to several concentrations of this NSAID. After chronic
exposure, in both crustaceans, the population growth was considerably reduced,
whereas, in zebrafish, vitellogenin gene expression and several hypothalamuspituitary-gonad transcription genes were significantly affected.
4.8 Nimesulide
NIM exhibited a significant bioaccumulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels,
reaching tissue concentrations of up 43.72 ng/g. Furthermore, immunological
parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were affected in this bivalves species,
after they were exposed to 25 μg/L of this NSAID.
In general, oxidative stress, embryotoxicity, and histopathological studies have
been thoroughly investigated in NSAIDs. However, information regarding the
effects of these drugs on the sex hormone balance of nontargeted organisms have
been poorly investigated. Future works should examine the endocrine disruption
potential of NSAIDs in a multigeneration exposure.
Since NSAIDs are mainly bioactivated to prooxidant substances, Nunes et al.
[105] demonstrated oxidative stress may impair the activity of cholinesterase. It is
recommended to study in extent the neurotoxicological effects of these pollutants in
aquatic species.
Unlike the wide information found regarding toxic effects induced by DCF, PCT,
IBF, and ASA in aquatic organisms, NSAIDs such as NIM, MFA, NPX, and KTP
have received less importance. Further evaluation of the toxicity of these pharmaceuticals for nontarget aquatic organisms is necessary.
5 Conclusions
Several studies have confirmed the high and ubiquitous occurrence of NSAIDs in the
freshwater. However, no information have been reported on the occurrence of this
pollutants in the marine environments. Moreover, there is a lack of interest and
necessity for monitoring the occurrence of NSAIDs in ground and drinking water. It
is recommended to assess in depth the occurrence, behavior, and fate of these
pollutants in these water bodies, as their consumption is likely to increase.
Removal of NSAIDs during primary treatment has been shown to be minimal,
whereas in secondary treatment, they are highly biodegradable in both aerobic and
32
G. A. Elizalde-Velázquez and L. M. Gómez-Oliván