Effects of ibuprofen and carbamazepine on the Na+/K+-ATPase system, in interaction with acclimation temperature, in juveniles of Solea senegalensis

Abstract

The first responses that occur when an animal face changes in environmental conditions are alterations at the molecular level. These responses typically include changes in gene expression and protein abundance that may lead to changes in enzyme activities. Pharmaceuticals can reach all kind of water bodies, including those of estuarine and marine coastal areas. Seasonal and climate driven temperature variations may affect fish physiology at different biological levels. Solea senegalensis (Senegalese sole) is a marine teleost that inhabits coastal and estuarine waters. In order to determine how temperature of acclimation can modulate the effect of some pharmaceuticals on the osmoregulation mechanisms in sole Na+/K+-ATPase alpha 1a1a and 1a1b subunits gene expression and Na+/K+-ATPase enzymatic activities were determined in different osmoregulatory tissues. Sole juveniles were acclimatized in four replicate tanks at two different temperatures, 15ºC and 20ºC, for a period of 60 days. After that period, they were administered an intraperitoneal injection (IP) of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen (IB; 10 mg/Kg) and the anti-convulsing drug carbamazepine (CBZ; 1 mg/Kg). Non-injected fish, and those injected with the carrier (sunflower oil), acclimated at each of the two temperatures, were used for comparison. Ibuprofen showed an effect on the osmoregulatory mechanisms through alterations in the gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity. In addition, the number of copies on both Na+/K+-ATPase alpha 1a1a and 1a1b subunits was higher at 20ºC than at 15ºC, which could be a direct response to temperature.