The interactions of fullerene C60 and Benzo(α)pyrene influence their bioavailability and toxicity to zebrafish embryos

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the toxicological consequences related to the interaction of fullerene nanoparticles (C₆₀) and Benzo(α)pyrene (B(α)P) on zebrafish embryos, which were exposed to C₆₀ and B(α)P alone and to C₆₀ doped with B(α)P. The uptake of pollutants into their tissues and intra-cellular localization were investigated by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. A set of biomarkers of genotoxicity and oxidative stress, as well as functional proteomics analysis were applied to assess the toxic effects due to C₆₀ interaction with B(α)P. The carrier role of C₆₀ for B(α)P was observed, however adsorption on C₆₀ did not affect the accumulation and localization of B(α)P in the embryos. Instead, C₆₀ doped with B(α)P resulted more prone to sedimentation and less bioavailable for the embryos compared to C₆₀ alone. As for toxicity, our results suggested that C₆₀ alone elicited oxidative stress in embryos and a down-regulation of proteins involved in energetic metabolism. The C₆₀ + B(α)P induced cellular response mechanisms similar to B(α)P alone, but generating greater cellular damages in the exposed embryos.

Keywords: Danio rerio; Fullerene nanoparticles; Oxidative stress; Proteomics; Trojan horse effect.