Salinity-dependent mitigation of naphthalene toxicity in migratory Takifugu obscurus juveniles: Implications for survival, oxidative stress, and osmoregulation

Abstract

Naphthalene, an environmental pollutant classified as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), can induce toxicity in fish and other aquatic organisms. Through our investigation, we determined how Takifugu obscurus juveniles were affected by naphthalene (0, 2 mg L^-1) exposure in terms of oxidative stress biomarkers and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in various tissues (gill, liver, kidney and muscle) under dissimilar salinities (0, 10 psu). Results suggest that naphthalene exposure significantly affects the survival of T. obscurus juveniles and leads to significant changes in the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, which are indicative of oxidative stress and emphasized the risks associated with osmoregulatory function. The higher salinity affected on the noxious effects of naphthalene can be observed, resulting in decreased biomarker levels and increased Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. Salinity levels affected the uptake of naphthalene and its impact on different tissues, with high salinity conditions having mitigating effects on oxidative stress and naphthalene uptake in the liver and kidney tissues. Increased Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was observed in all tissues treated with 10 psu and 2 mg L^-1 naphthalene. Our findings deepen the understanding of T. obscurus juveniles' physiological responses to naphthalene exposure, and highlight the potential mitigating effects of salinity. These insights can inform the development of appropriate conservation and management practices to protect aquatic organisms from susceptibility.

Keywords: Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase; Naphthalene; Oxidative stress; Salinity; Takifugu obscurus.