IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT)
e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 14, Issue 7 Ser. III (July 2020), PP 28-36
www.iosrjournals.org
Review of Silver nanoparticles in Freshwater fish “Cyprinus
carpio”
Thangam Y1*, Kowsalya S2* ,
J.K.K.Nataraja College ofArts & Science, Kumarapalayam, Namakkal Dt-638183.
Abstract: The nanoparticles accumulate in different organs like gill, liver, intestine, kidney and muscle in fish
Cyprinus carpio. The acute, chronic toxicity in the body through absorption by the gills and the glucose and
glycogen content in the liver were affected and imbalance occurs in the hormone levels. Silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) are used widely in applications. Human exposure to AgNPs has been increased in recent years. AgNPs
are translated into blood streams and accumulated in organs and it is confirmed as organ toxicity and cause
eventually death. Metallic and soluble silver compound when exposed occupationally affects the potential
antimicrobial pathogens and cause numerous changes in the skin colour. For the optimum function of body
immunity, everyone needs nano-silver circulating in their bloodstream. The intensive ingestion and inhalation of
silver compounds create various toxic effects on the living organism in the environment, especially in fishes.
Keywords: Fish Cyprinus carpio, Bioaccumulation, Bioassay, Histopathology, Biochemical studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------Date of Submission: 16-07-2020
Date of Acceptance: 31-07-2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------I. Introduction
Nano-technology is a valuable science evolved recently in science and technology. Silver to 100 nm
breaks to silver nanoparticles. In early day‟s silver were plentiful in its metallic form in ground water. Silver
acts as a natural immune system in human body. Silver is a rarely occurring element in earth‟s crust and
associated with other elements deposited at much higher concentrations. Silver has special properties with a
wide variety of applications and is used in high electrical and thermal conductivity. Due to its antibacterial
properties silver and variety of products, including clothes, food packaging, washing machines, children toys
and medical equipments increasingly incorporate silver nanoparticles (Lee and Jeong, 2005, Ben and
Westerhoff, 2008). The metal silver nanoparicles plays an important role in aquatic organisms. Silver
nanoparticles are naturally occurring precious metal. In the aquatic environment silver nanoparticles is estimated
to about 0.01 µgL -1 enhanced different changes in physically and biochemically (Tiede et al., 2009). Silver
nanoparticles increase in the aquatic environment from leaching, mining and anthropogenic sources in jewellery,
monetary, currency and photography (Chen and Schluesener, 2008) The intensive ingestion and inhalation of
silver compounds create various toxic effects on the living organism in the environment.
For the optimum function of body immunity, everyone needs nano-silver circulating in their
bloodstream. The silver nanoparticles in the aquatic environment are formed due to the release of free Ag + in
water (Navarro et al., 2008). The nanoparticles accumulate in different organs like gill, liver, intestine, kidney
and muscle in fish Cyprinus carpio. The acute, chronic toxicity in the body through absorption by the gills and
the glucose and glycogen content in the liver were affected and imbalance occurs in the hormone levels. Silver
and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used widely in applications. Human exposure to AgNPs has been
increased in recent years. AgNPs are translated into blood streams and accumulated in organs and it is
confirmed as organ toxicity and cause eventually death. Metallic and soluble silver compound when exposed
occupationally affects the potential antimicrobial pathogens and cause numerous changes in the skin colour.
Under case study data from a 59-years old man, who was suffering from skin colour change, it was revealed that
he had ingested colloidal silver two or three times a year whenever he felt „cold‟. The man believed that
colloidal silver had antibiotic properties. However, it leads to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes
gastroesophageal reflux disease along with this skin colour change. One of the most toxic metals is silver mainly
effects the disturbance of osmoregulation (Bianchini et al., 2002) cause injuries and reduce survival in
freshwater fish.
The mechanism behind nano silver toxicity demonstrates that nano silver reducement, may likely due
to impaired respiration, which leads to respiratory toxicity in fishes (Handy and Shaw, 2007) and is particularly
vulnerable to nanoparticles. Fish gills are sensitive to nanoparticles in recent studies. In aquatic organisms the
silver nanoparticles accumulate in different organs. At first the toxicant enters through the gills and reaches the
muscles and hepatic cells and affects the cells in the liver and automatically the glycogen level is decreased.
Then the toxicant moves to the stomach and intestine, where the digestive juices are decreased and digestion
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prolongs to slow process. Next the toxicant enters the kidney and the interstitial cells and the renal tubules are
affected. Consumption of food containing the chemicals taken up by either an organism directly from exposure
to a contaminated medium and it can be defined as the net accumulation of a metal in a tissue or a whole
organism. Metal bioaccumulation is influenced by multiple routes of exposure (diet and solution) and
geochemical effects on bioavailability. As metals are not metabolized, bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids
is of particular value as an exposure indicator. Similarly, bioaccumulation is often a good integrative indicator
of the chemical exposures of organisms in polluted ecosystems (Sung et al., 2008).
The acute (short-term test) and chronic (long term test) causing 50% mortality in the fish is calculated
as lethal concentration LC50. Median lethal concentration (LC50) which kills 50 percent of test organisms in a
fixed time according to Sprague (1969). In natural ecosystem acute toxicity is determined after 24 hours or 48
hours of exposure in tests and in some cases after 96 hours depends upon the development, growth and
reproduction (Rand and Petrocelli, 1985) on the basis of regulatory guideline. The researches over toxicological
effect of nanoparticles (NPs) are limited, only a few studies are on the acute toxic effects of NPs in aquatic
animals (Lovern et al., 2007). The mode of toxic action of substance and information on doses with target-organ
toxicity and lethality can be used in setting dose levels for repeated dose studies. Thus, it provides information
for comparison of toxicity and dose-response among members of chemical classes and help in the selection of
organisms and their materials for further work (Hedayati et al., 2010).
The Sublethal effect by pollutants is a long term process. Sublethal toxicity causes physiological
disturbances in fish and this toxicity affects in fishes allows us to define and understand the potential danger of
pollutant inputs (Oilva et al., 2009). The toxicity in the aquatic environment using sublethal level may inflict
stress mechanism and changes may occur in physiological, biochemical and behavioural processes, which leads
to imbalance physiological state in vital function. The changes by vital functions viz., nerve and muscle
functions, respiration, circulation, immune defence, osmoregulation and hormonal regulation. In the ecosystem,
toxicity testing is the monitoring or predicting the effects of single compounds, populations, elements or mixture
on the short and long term health of individual organism and this is the ultimate goal of toxicological studies. In
aquatic organism normal growth, development and attainment of reproduction depends upon the potential
hazard of silver nanoparticles and this process is the long term referred as chronic or full interfere with an
aquatic organism, is recognised as an understanding and evaluation in the concentrations produce chronic effects
and chronic toxicity (Zhou et al., 2008).
Changes by impairment of vital functions takes place in the biological systems due to external stimuli
referred as biomarker. Biomarkers are defined as exposure or effects of contaminant in biological system in fish.
Biological systems are contaminated by the contaminants and are highly toxic to fish. This affects the
behavioural process and changes occur in physiology and molecular level where toxic effects of pollutants are
determined (Agrahari and Gopal, 2009). Recently in polluted ecosystems the biomarkers monitors both the
environmental quality and health of organisms such as serum levels of metabolites, ion (Martinez and Souza,
2002), levels of hormones, such as thyroid (Van et al., 2006) and biochemical variables, such as glucose and
glycogen are commonly used as stress indicators (Firat and Kargin, 2010), bioaccumulation (Tilak et al., 2001).
In Cyprinus carpio, the physiology and ecology of an organism provides a perspective linking behaviour in its
environment (Little and Brewer, 2001). Behaviour is a sequence of quantifiable actions, operating through the
central and peripheral nervous system (biochemical and physiologic processes). It is essential to life for feeding,
reproduction and predator avoidance. In order to meet the challenge of surviving in a changing environment,
behaviour allows the fish to adjust to external and internal stimuli. Adaptations to environmental variables are
constantly adapting through direct interaction in the fish Cyprinus carpio. The stability for reproductive success
efficiently exploit resources and define suitable habitats (Little and Brewer, 2001).
The behaviour and physiologic state of plasma and serum reflect in animals because they are the
products of intermediate metabolism (Firat and Kargin, 2010). For metabolic activity energy precursor like
protein, carbohydrates and lipid play a major role in fish practicably and quantitatively. In carbohydrate
metabolism the serum glucose and glycogen utilization are affected by toxicant. This toxicant affects the tissue
release and uptake of carbohydrate level and used as biomarkers under toxicant stress. The stress in fish due to
toxicant appeared to be a sensitive indicator in the uptake of blood glucose and glycogen level in aquatic
environment. Many investigators have reported alternations in blood glucose and tissue glycogen content under
the stressful conditions may be of handling, forced exercise, thermal shock and contact with xenobiotics (Martin
Deva Prasath and Arivoli, 2008). In aquatic toxicology, biomonitoring biochemical parameter is commonly used
as a diagnostic tool for measurement. The exposure of nanoparticles affects the physiological and biochemical
reactions and affects the endocrine tissues. These tissues incur by exposure of chemical stressors and maintain
homeostasis for the growth of organisms. The growth of organisms by the measurement of hormonal
concentrations in the blood may be used to gauge the impact of contaminants on metabolism, growth and
reproduction. The ability of endocrine tissues responds to plasma hormone levels to their appropriate releasing
factor. The hormones, the thyroid hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are most
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extensively studied group of stress-related hormones in fish (Brown et al., 2004). The regulation of endocrine
organs in fish experiencing stress related, mainly with two principle neuron endocrine axes. Chromaffin cell
axes with the catecholamines in the sympathetic hypothalamus, epinephrine and nor epinephrine as end products
and the inter renal axis in pituitary hypothalamus–with hormone is its end product. Hormone influences an array
of physiological parameters including carbohydrate, metabolizing and mobilization of amino acid and fatty
acids from cellular stress, gluconeogenesis and plasma protein production (Van der Ven et al., 2006)
The physiological functions like growth, development and metabolism of vertebrates play an important
role in ion regulation, energy metabolism, growth and reproduction (Bres et al., 2006, Powers et al., 2011).
Silver nano particles affect the level of thyroid hormones and its level are demonstrated to be decreased (Deane
et al., 2001) (Van der Ven et al., 2006). To assess thyroidal hormone status and for growth of fish thyroid
hormones Triiodothyronine (T 3) and Thyroxine (T4) in the plasma of fish has been used as suitable biomarkers.
After exposures of silver nanoparticles to freshwater fish gill epithelium disrupts, thus epithelium permeability
increases and hyperosmosis takes place in the surrounding water, and thus lead to a final significant decreased
of ion concentrations, protein and plasma osmolality. In fish Cyprinus carpio exposure of silver nanoparticles
causes significant alterations in plasma hormone concentrations and has been reported (Lavanya et al., 2013).
Histopathology is an important biomarker in fish commonly observed in studies involving Ag NPs,
with high ionic strength particularly when diluted in media (> 10 mM). This histology agglomerates the rate of
degradation or cell uptake, and affects their bioavailability and internalizes the cell variables. The most
important experimental parameters in vivo toxicological studies depend upon the source and type of AgNps in
variation in particle size, shape and surface chemistry impacts on toxicity. It‟s necessary to analyze silver and
AgNPs makes significant temporal changes during experimental trial. Kelly and Janz (2009) reported that
histopathological lesions to cells and tissues reflect the concerted effects of multiple different mechanisms of
action rather than only a few, as is typically the case with biochemical endpoints. Silver nanoparticles discharge
in freshwater ecosystem through the routes of synthesis, production, transferring goods. Silver nanoparticles
have been modelled differently along with the routes of silver (Blaser et al., 2011).
Ag NPs have noticeable toxicity against several cell lines as well as a number of aquatic organisms, but
the mechanistic basis of these toxic effects is now an area of active research. To the people of India fish are the
chief source of protein, for the survival of fish, water is an important component. The changes in water quality
depends upon the extensive use of chemicals, organic enrichment of surrounding water by nutrients and solid
wastes, current aquaculture practices, higher stocking densities into the system are the marked problems in water
(Matos et al., 2006). Toxicity of silver nanoparticles in fishery water is the matter of investigation and it is a
proven fact that how much amount can be used in fishery water depends upon the health and quality of cultured
fish, it is worth asking whether the chemicals used in aquaculture practices, as well as the contaminants present
in the surrounding waters, have a negative impact on fish health (Fernandes et al., 2008). Silver particles in
aquatic environment is increased especially for the nonmaterial‟s concerned and only little data‟s are available
on fish Cyprinus carpio relating silver nanoparticles. In ecotoxicity monitoring, the measurement of the
mortality response after the exposure to nanoparticles could provide useful data for aquatic monitoring as a
bioindicator. In the current study, exposure of silver nanoparticles on fish Cyprinus carpio may provide insights
to the potential toxic effects of AgNPs on aquatic environments and introduce most toxicants material and the
conventional median lethal concentration tests were conducted. The ecotoxicity of nanomaterials in fresh water
ecosystems could be valuable in relation to aquatic nanoecotoxicology of fish Cyprinus carpio.
II. Materials And Methods
1. Bioaccumulation studies by the method APHA, 1998.
2. Bioassay Static flow methods APHA, 1985.
3.Glucose by O-Toluidine method (Cooper and Mc Danial, 1970).
4. Glycogen by Anthrone method (Samseifter et al., 1949).
5. Thyroid hormone by Thyroxine (T 4) Triiodothyronine (T3) - (ELISA of hormones) using kits.
6. Histopathological studies by pears (1968), Roberts (1978) and Humason (1979) were followed for
and kidney.
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III. Results
Fig 1. Represents the accumulation of silver nanoparticles
in Cyprinus carpio at 24, 48, 72, 96 hours’ concentration.
LC50 of silver nanoparticles for 24 hrs
IV. Discussion
In this study in all the parameters the experimental values were decreased when compared to the
control except bioaccumulation studies. The nanoparticles accumulate in different organs like gill, liver,
intestine, kidney and muscle and the changes were observed in fish Cyprinus carpio and this is due to
disturbance of osmoregulation that cause injuries and reduce survival in freshwater fish. The bioassay
determines the static flow methods were the acute, chronic studies are observed, the changes were noted and it is
due to excess mucous all over the surface of the body, rapid opercular movements, floating upside down, and
finally death occurs. In biochemical studies the glucose level decreased due to induction of hypoglycemia in the
fish and glycogen content were evaluated and decreased due to the absence of metabolite named plasmatic
pyruvate in liver and in hormone level the changes in the thyroid hormone such as triiodothyronine and
thyroxine were observed and this is due to suppression of immune response. The histopathological changes in
aquatic organisms especially in fish Cyprinus carpio, the effect of metal silver nanoparticles in the cells of gill,
liver and kidney were observed and this were due to epithelial lifting, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of epithelial
cells in gills, and in liver it might be due to distinctive lesions and the severity of the lesions, changes in
hemopoietic tissues resulting severe necrosis in kidney..
Nanotoxicology is a branch of bionanoscience which deals with the study of nanomaterials and their
impact on living organisms‟ threat to the environment and to human beings. Nanoparticles are small sized
particles. In the aquatic environment nanoparticles depends on different types of factor such as organic matter,
pH, composition and ionic strength. These small sized particles leads to a high volume surface ratio metals and
other compounds which in turn leads to a lot of binding sites (Moore 2006). Accumulation of nanoparticles
enters through the membrane and accumulates inside the cell and causes damage to the cell (Choi et al., 2008).
Silver nanoparticles have been reported to have an effect on accumulation, DNA and development,
reproducibility. In this study fresh water fish Cyprinus carpio showed effects on survival, embryonic growth and
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pigmentation at high concentration of AgNP which affects the swim bladder and larval swimming at low
concentration of AgNP. Due to the exposure of silver nanoparticles neuro behavioral changes occur and this is
the end points and those changes are different from Ag+ (Powers et al., 2011).
The heavy metal silver nanoparticles accumulate in fishes in different organs. The term
bioaccumulation is defined as the chemicals taken up by an organism either directly from exposure to a
contaminated medium or by consumption of food containing the chemical. Accumulation of metals and
metalloids is of particular value as it acts as an exposure indicator since metals are not metabolized. At some
bioavailability all trace metals are toxic. Bioavailable toxic metal may come under selection for changes in one
or more physiological processes, thus aquatic organisms are exposed to the rate of efflux of detoxification of
accumulated metal into a relatively processing level. Half of the body surface areas comprise fish gills with an
epithelial lifting in the environment. As results of this close association between the water and blood, the gills
are strongly affected by environmental pollutants. Due to accumulation of these metals in gills alterations like
epithelial lifting, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of epithelial cells, oxygen uptake is impaired (Fernandes and
Mazon, 2003). Liver and intestine causes the metabolic problems. Bile is affected and digestion stagnation
occurs in the liver and intestine. The accumulation of pollutants in bile indicates damage to the hepatic
metabolism (Fanta et al., 2003).
In aquatic environment, many heavy metals are present in water. The toxicity of heavy metal poisoning
is defined as, “functional or morphological change in the body is due to ingested, injected, inhaled or absorbed
drug, chemical, or biological agent”. The toxicity of metal silver is influenced by many factors like solubility,
binding specificity to a biological site. Among metals, silver is considered as an important metal where silver to
100µm breaks to silver nanoparticles, used for treatments like argyrosis, curing of oncogenic gene cells. More
than 1.0ppm of this metal is toxic to aquatic organisms especially to fishes. Silver particles in aquatic
environment are based on their potential toxicity. In contrast, the affinity of silver for membrane and neuronal
structures and the deposition of silver in an insoluble compound (Ag 2S) leads to the progression of clinical
diseases like generalized argyria. Bluish-black pigmentation is observed in a tissue resulting from the deposition
of an insoluble albuminate of silver is referred as argyrosis. It is a pathologic disease. In bulk form silver cause
cronic toxicity to fish (Gulbranson, et al., 2000).
Bioassay studies are accepted as standard methods for assessing toxicity of chemicals (APHA et al.,
1985). The aim of using bioassay in monitoring of environmental pollution is to establish a relationship between
toxicity and concentration of pollutant being studied in the biotope; the toxic effects can be classified viz.,
effects that occur very quickly after a brief exposure to a chemical agent (acute) and those that appear only after
repetitive exposure to the substances (chronic). Since fish are the chief source of protein to the people of India,
Indian aquaculture plants are used for higher fish production by minimizing the area of cultivation and water
usage. Toxicity of silver nanoparticles to fish is a proven fact but how much amount can be used in fishery water
is the matter of investigation. Regarding the health and quality of cultured fish, it is worth asking whether the
chemicals used in aquaculture practices, as well as the contaminants present in the surrounding waters, have a
negative impact on fish health. In Cyprinus carpio the 24-hour nanosilver LC50 value has been found to be 1
mg/L−1 exposed to metal. Accordingly, it is clear that silver nanoparticles of various sizes and with or without
different stabilization agents possess different levels of toxicity in different organisms, under different exposure
times and conditions.
The recent study demonstrates that, nanosilver particles reduces swimming activity in fish, may be due
to impaired respiration. AgNPs cause respiratory toxicity in fishes and are particularly vulnerable to
nanoparticles. Fish internal organs are sensitive to nanoparticles (Sung et al., 2008). In the aquatic environment,
the concentration of silver nanoparticles from consumer products is predicted to be about 0.01 ng L-1 (Tiede et
al., 2009). The expected extensive uses of nano silver undoubtedly increase the discharge of nano silver to the
aquatic environment. Respiratory disturbance is caused by various nanoparticles, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles
in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Federici et al., 2007), Single walled carbon nanotubes elevated
ventilation in rainbow trout and surface ventilation is induced by silver nanoparticles exposure in Cyprinus
carpio (own observations). The nanoparticles of copper also act on the gills in Zebra fish (Griffitt et al., 2007).
The high percentage of silver metallic form characterizes nano-silver products. It is noticeable that ionic silver
becomes silver chloride in the stomach or blood stream and the solubility of silver chloride is low. The silver
chloride is less effective when compared to metallic silver. The metallic particles can survive in the body and
the hydrochloric acid of the stomach to remain effective inside the body. On aquatic systems like ocean, lakes,
rivers, ponds silver has adverse toxic effects unexpectedly. In fresh water fish, the acute toxicity of silver
appears to be caused solely by ionic Ag+ interacting in the gills, affecting basolateral Na+, K+, -ATP ase activity.
Active Na+, and cl- uptake is inhibited by disruption of this enzyme and osmoregulation by the fish. It is
indicated that silver may be adversely affecting the health of the estuarine fish by recent studies with macro
invertebrates.
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Most of the silver is in the form of metallic silver nanoparticles and the remaining silver is in ionic
form. The total surface area of the silver exposed in solution is minimized because of the small size of the
particles, resulting in the highest possible effect per unit of silver (Alt et al., 2004). A very small concentration
of silver in nanosilver provides greater effectiveness inside the body than silver solutions in the colloidal form.
A potential cytotoxic effect can be showed by silver nanoparticles on mammalian germ line stem cells. The
cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles on mammalian germ line stem cells were investigated in the
experimental case study of Braydich – Stolle et al. (2005). The effect on cell morphology, mitochondrial
membrane and function leakage was taken into consideration. In this study silver nanoparticles at 10 ng/ml, and
above concentration showed dramatic changes like necrosis and apoptosis of cells. The mitochondrial function
and cell viability was drastically reduced by silver nano particles at 5-10 ng/ml. In the literature of Drake et al.
(2005), it was mentioned that colloidal silver protein had been used for allergy cold medication in eydrops to
alleviate soreness (Loeffler and Lee, 1987) and for the treatment of various ailments. Discoloration in the finger
nails, octuar agyrosis and generalized argyria is caused by the prolonged usage of this silver protein.
Several organs of Cyprinus carpio fish which was exposed to nanosilver did not reveal nanosilver
desposits in the dark field of micoscopy, In the aquatic environment the concentration of nanosilver used in the
present study was higher than the estimated concentrations of silver. Due to disruption of membrane transport
processes the toxicity of silver is hypothesized, which disturb Osmoregulation, finally lead to cell death. The
mechanism of action of silver to adult Cyprinus carpio was investigated. This action leads to increase of
salinity, cl-, in water occurred to increase the toxicity. Ag + binds to the gill surface and interferes with Na +/cluptake, might leads to decrease in plasma Na+ and cl- concentrations and fluid balance. Silver can be taken up
through different ion channels, cell surface and ligands. (Ratte, 1999). Bioaccumulation and uptake rate of silver
ions, Ag+ have been reported to have high bioconcentration factors, (<10.5µg/mL). Low concentration of free
Ag+ ions in water is due to sulphide complexes. In aquatic organisms‟ up take of silver nanoparticles through
gills, epithelia, membrane and surface. At cellular level, intake of nanoparticles occurs via endocytosis. For
several aquatic organism‟s silver ions was found to be more toxic. (Navarro et al., 2008.).
Silver ions of the nanoparticle suspension where nanoparticles inherent toxicity. Fish exposed to silver
nanoparticles shows extra variations of blood. Increased mucus secretion has been noticed in Cyprinus carpio.
Through gill the mucus production is increased to trap and transport this toxicant away from the gills. This
study proves that silver nanoparticles reduce the ability of fish to take oxygen from the water during progressive
oxygen depletion, which leads to increased vulnerability to hypoxia. In the context of biosensing and biological
imaging strong optical properties of AgNps can be found useful. This offers good opportunities to study
nanoparticles uptake and biodistribution, in vitro as well as in vivo studies (Seok-Jeong oh et al., 2014). AgNPs
can support a variety of bio analytical sensing and imaging modalities and localized surface plasmons that leads
to resonant light scattering and other optical properties (Yi Zhang et al., 2014). Recent application of AgNps
include the detection of biomarkers in Alzheimer‟s disease (Chao-Hung et al., 2014), the targeted imaging of
cancer cells (Liya Guo et al., 2013).
The Plasmon-enchanced optical activities of AgNps enable for evaluating their eventual degradation.
Cell death through oxidative stress-related mechanisms significantly increases by AgNPs which results in DNA
damage in animal cells. In fish embryos, larvae and on adult fishes harmful effects and cytoxicity is showed by
AgNps. The toxicity of silver nanoparticles in fish Cyprinus carpio species at early-life stages were
investigated. The results suggested that AgNPs may have toxic potential toward Cyprinus carpio and AgNPsinduced mortality might provoke higher-level consequences, which could comprise a contribution to the
knowledge on the aquatic toxicity of AgNPs on aquatic ecosystems. However, further research on the
mechanism behind AgNPs-induced damage and mortality based on the ecotoxicity of AgNPs in Cyprinus
carpio. Based on the obtained results of this study, it is suggested that small-sized nanosilvers are more active to
exert toxicological or biological responses and they induce mortality responses by repeated water exposure.
Analysis of blood chemistry by fish physiologists can provide important information about the function
of organs in fishes specifically to detect and assess the metabolic disturbances in aquatic environment and
aquatic ecosystems. Plasma and serum reflects the physiologic state of animals because they are the products of
intermediate metabolism (Firat and Kargin, 2010). Fish physiologists make use of blood chemistry normal value
indices for evaluation of fish stress responses, nutritional condition, reproductive state, tissue damage due to
handling procedures and health status (Congleton and Wagner, 2006). In blood, hormones are measurable target
tissues where silver nanoparticles act on and effects on osmoregulation, ion regulation or water change across
gills, kidney intestine and skin in fish and its secretion may be subjected to complex feedback. In fish Cyprinus
carpio, alterations of plasma thyroid level were observed to environmental nanoparticles (Power et al., 2011).
Silver nanoparticles disrupts thyroid axis and may seriously compromise normal development, differentiation,
growth and reproduction in many fishes. In response to developmental state and age, natural variation in thyroid
status and the effect of silver nanoparticles have been demonstrated (Suchiang et al., 2001).
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They regulate many metabolic processes and are paramount in early development, thyroid hormones
play role in growth and reproduction. THS (Thyroid hormone) play crucial role in metabolic process and are
essential for normal growth, differentiation and development of vertebrates (Morgado et al., 2007). In
reproduction and development, TSH implicate in fish. During metamorphosis on larval transition increased
levels are reported and high concentrations are present in fish eggs. In homeostasis of plasma THS, THS are
lipophylic and can rapidly diffuse into tissue and for this reason binding to transport proteins play an important
role. Increased in circulating T 3 were correlated in the T 3 – supplemented fish with a decline in plasma T 4. A
decrease of the thyroid gland activity is indicated by this diminution, which might account for a decline in TSH
secretion. Moreover, regulation of TSH secretion by the TH has been demonstrated in the Colo Salmon. Due to
the change in equilibrium between T 3 and T4 level is elevated and maintained by peripheral monodeiodination
processes, causing a backing up of plasma T 4 levels. Another possible explanation is that the very high T 3 levels
in elevated measured T4 filters as a result of interference of T 3 in the T4 assay. A hyperactivity of the thyroid
follicles is induced by silver nanoparticles, which results in a decrease of the T 4 concentrations, the T3
concentration, which is regulated by the deiodination in peripheral tissues, is not affected in Cyprinus carpio
(Schitzler et al., 2008).
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are commonly used for solar energy absorption, spectrally selective
coatings and acts as chemical catalysts especially for antimicrobial sterilization made them one of nonmaterial‟s
in many applications (Pal, et al., 2007). Open access literature regarding the toxicity of nanoparticles (Nps) is
still emerging and gaps still exist in our knowledge of this area. Biosystem may have serious ecological
consequences and affect human and animal health due to the presence of Nps (Handy et al., 2012). Chronic
inhalation and consumption of Nps are the most dangerous implications (Moore, 2006). This implication of
nanoparticles leads to the histopathological changes and aggregation in the aquatic environment. The
concentration of various nanoparticles for fish ranged from 100 g L−1 to 1 mg L−1 , while the lethal
concentration of nanoparticles reaches the milligrams per liter range. The concentrations of Nps in surface water
range from nanograms per liter to low micrograms per liter which affects the organs like the gill, liver, kidney
(Handy et al. 2012). Up take of silver ions ruptures the permeability of membrane and destroy cell wall which
could cause cell lyses and silver ions also inhibit different important cycles (S, N and P).
Fish exposed to AgNPs showed similar pathological changes: irregular structure and pyknotic nuclei of
epidermis, aplasia and/or fusion of lamellae, telangiectasis, epithelial necrosis and lifting of the gills, dilation of
sinusoidal space, overfilled blood vessels, and pyknotic nuclei of the liver. The tissues and organs of fish are
affected by silver iron exposure leads to a slight increase in mortality. As mortality is the most obvious sign of
progression of serious pollutant at the organism level, the impairment role of survival due to AgNPs exposure
may be considered a consequence of a serious progression of population mortality. It has been confirmed that
AgNPs are translated into blood circulation and accumulated in organs like gill, liver and kidney and causes
organotoxicity, and histopathological test were examined and finally death occurs. It was concluded that silver
nanoparticles at 10 µg /ml, and above concentration showed dramatic changes like necrosis and apoptosis of
cells. The concentrations of nanosilver used in the present study in Cyprinus carpio are higher than the
estimated concentrations of nanosilver in the aquatic environment. Prolonged usage of this silver protein as a
medication caused discoloration in the fingernails, occurs agyrosis and damages the cells.
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