Research
Title: | Effects of SiO2 nanoparticles on the uptake of tetrabromobisphenol A and its impact on the thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish larvae |
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First author: | Zhu, Biran; Han, Jian; Lei, Lei; Hua, Jianghuan; Zuo, Yanxia; Zhou, Bingsheng |
Journal: | ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY |
Years: | 2021 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111845 |
Abstract: | The coexistence of nanoparticles and organic toxicants in the environment modifies pollutant bioavailability and toxicity. This study investigated the influence of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (n-SiO2) on the uptake of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its impact on the thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to TBBPA at different concentrations (50, 100, and 200 mu g/L) alone or in combination with n-SiO2 (25 mg/L) until 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). Chemical measurements showed that both TBBPA and n-SiO2 were bioconcentrated in zebrafish larvae, and the uptake of TBBPA was enhanced by n-SiO2. Furthermore, zebrafish larvae exposed to 200 mu g/L TBBPA alone exhibited significantly increased T4 contents and decreased T3 contents, whereas n-SiO2 treatment alone did not have a detectable effect. Furthermore, the thyroid hormone levels changed more upon treatment with 200 mu g/L TBBPA combined with 25 mg/L n-SiO2 than upon TBBPA treatment alone. Alterations in gene transcription along the related hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were observed, and expression of the binding and transport protein transthyretin (TTR) was significantly decreased for both TBBPA alone and co-exposure with n-SiO2. Thus, the current study demonstrates that n-SiO2, even at the nontoxic concentrations, increases thyroid hormone disruption in zebrafish larvae co-exposed to TBBPA by promoting its bioaccumulation and bioavailability. |