Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Genotoxic effects of hexavalent chromium on Labeo dussumieri, a food fish in Sri Lanka

4^th Global Summit on Toxicology

August 24-26, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

Fernando V A K, Dangalle C D, Perera I C, Weerasena O V D S J, Premawansa S, Handunnetti S and Wijesinghe M R

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Toxicol

Abstract :

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the genotoxicity caused by hexavalent chromium (Cr) in the freshwater fish Malabar
Labeo (Labeo dussumieri). The comet assay was performed in vitro, exposing fish erythrocytes overnight to different concentrations
of chromium (0.0015 – 0.15 mg/L) based on previously recorded levels in fish blood. The micronucleus test was performed after
exposing adult fish in vivo to concentrations based on environmental levels (0.002 – 2.0 mg/ L) to evaluate long term exposure. The
comet assay demonstrated that DNA damage in terms of tail DNA percentage and Olive moment was significantly higher (p<0.05)
in cells exposed to 0.015 mg/L Cr and above, in comparison to the controls. Both parameters showed strong positive dose dependent
trends (r2=0.973, r2=0.966; p<0.05). The number of micronuclei in erythrocytes of fish exposed to 0.02 mg/L concentrations and
higher was increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to that of control fish. There was a marginally significant positive correlation
between exposure concentration and the number of micronuclei. These results indicate the potential genotoxicity of hexavalent Cr
in L. dussumieri, at environmentally relevant levels. The dose-dependent nature of the damage allows these parameters to be used as
biomarkers for monitoring aquatic pollution.