Biochemical, molecular, and physiological assessments of crude oil dietary exposure in sub-adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology 2024-04, Vol.278, p.109864-109864, Article 109864
• Main Authors: Sherwood, Tracy A., Medvecky, Rebecca, Miller, Christelle, Wetzel, Dana L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cholesterol; Crude oil feed; Dietary Exposure - adverse effects; Fatty Acids; Lipid composition; Perciformes - physiology; Petroleum - toxicity; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; RNA:DNA ratio; Transcriptomics
• ISSN: 1532-0456; 1878-1659
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109864

A 14-day exposure study in which sub-adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were fed a petroleum crude oil-treated pellet feed was conducted to assess the potential effects of ingesting an oil-contaminated food source. Though food consumption decreased, significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons accumulated in the body and liver, which did not affect the body and liver's fatty acid composition. In the red drum given the crude oil-treated feed, a significant decrease in the RNA:DNA growth rate index was noted, while only subtle changes in body and liver lipid composition were seen. Differentially expressed gene analysis in the liver demonstrated a significant down-regulation of leptin and up-regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses indicated enrichment of terms and pathways associated with cholesterol biosynthesis and oxidative stress. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis further predicted activation of seven pathways associated with cholesterol biosynthesis. Measured oxidative stress biomarkers in the blood indicated decreased systemic antioxidants with increased lipid peroxidation. The results of this study suggest that dietary oil exposure alters the signaling of biological pathways critical in cholesterol biosynthesis and disruptions in systemic oxidative homeostasis. [Display omitted] •Crude oil in food source reduced red drum consumption.•Red drum liver transcriptomic responses associated with oiled feed.•Crude oiled feed induces significant activation of cholesterol biosynthesis pathways.•Systemic oxidative stress of the oiled feed treatment was indicated.