Determination of oxidative stress responses caused by aluminum oxide (γ-Al2O3 and α-Al2O3) nanoparticles in Gammarus pulex

Abstract

The rapid growth in the use of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) in various fields such as medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics industries and engineering, and the fact that these NPs and their wastes mix with the aquatic environment and damage the aquatic ecosystem, affect the organisms in the water, enter the food chain and reach humans is a major problem is cause for concern. The aim of this study is to investigate the oxidative stress caused by two separate forms of aluminum oxide, γ-Al₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃, in Gammarus pulex, which is a good indicator species, with biochemical parameters. For this purpose, G. pulex was exposed to different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40 ppm) of γ-Al₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃ separately. The experiments were carried out for 24 and 96 h by creating 3 repeated experimental groups consisting of 4 groups. For biomarker analysis, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) levels were performed using an ELISA kit. As a result of the in experimental study, it was observed that both nanoparticles affected oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters after 96 h compared to the control group. Increases in SOD activity were observed, γ-Al₂O₃ caused a decrease in CAT activity at 24 h, and α- Al₂O₃ caused increases in CAT activity at 96 h. Decreases in GSH levels and increases in TBARS levels have been observed.

Keywords: Aluminum oxide; Biomarkers; Gammarus pulex; Nanoparticles; Oxidative stress.