Prednisone and prednisolone effects on development, blood, biochemical and histopathological markers of Aquarana catesbeianus tadpoles

• Published in: Aquatic toxicology 2024-03, Vol.268, p.106869-106869, Article 106869
• Main Authors: Rutkoski, Camila Fatima, Grott, Suelen Cristina, Israel, Nicole Grasmuk, Guerreiro, Fernando de Campos, Carneiro, Francisco Estevão, Bitschinski, Daiane, Warsneski, Aline, Horn, Priscila Aparecida, Lima, Daína, Bastolla, Camila Lisarb Velasquez, Mattos, Jacó Joaquim, Bainy, Afonso Celso Dias, da Silva, Elizia Barbosa, de Albuquerque, Claudia Almeida Coelho, Alves, Thiago Caique, de Almeida, Eduardo Alves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic toxicology; Corticoid; Emerging contaminants; Pollutant biomarkers; Tadpoles
• ISSN: 0166-445X; 1879-1514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106869

•Prednisone and prednisoline negatively altered the thyroid and liver morphology.•Both glucocorticoids were genotoxic and affected the tadpoles' immune system.•Prednisone altered development and caused oxidative stress.•Environmental concentrations of glucocorticoids affect tadpole health. Synthetic glucocorticoids are often found in surface waters and can cause harmful effects to aquatic organisms such as amphibians. In this work we evaluated the effects of the drugs prednisone (PD) and prednisolone (PL) on developmental, molecular, blood, biochemical and histological markers. Aquarana catesbeianus tadpoles were exposed for 16 days to environmentally relevant concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/L of both drugs. PD increased the transcript levels of the enzyme deiodinase III (Dio3), the hormones cortisol and T4 and delayed development. Changes in the thyroid gland occurred after tadpoles were exposed to both drugs, with a reduction in the diameter and number of follicles and an increase/or decrease in area. Also, both drugs caused a decrease in lymphocytes (L) and an increase in neutrophils (N), thrombocytes, the N:L ratio and lobed and notched erythrocytes. Increased activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed after exposure to PD. Furthermore, both drugs caused an increase in the activity of the enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase. However, only PD caused oxidative stress in exposed tadpoles, evidenced by increased levels of malondialdehyde and carbonyl proteins. Both drugs caused an increase in inflammatory infiltrates, blood cells and melanomacrophages in the liver. Our results indicate that PD was more toxic than PL, affecting development and causing oxidative stress.