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Hemato-biochemical indices alteration, oxidative stress, and immune suppression in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to metformin

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Abstract

Objectives

The increase in pharmaceutical drug consumption and the presence of these drugs in the environment causes concern about their effects. Due to the prevalence of metformin in surface and waste waters, this study investigated its 7 day chronic toxicity. Typically, metformin is prescribed with other medications to control blood sugar levels and achieve healthy HbA1c (hemoglobin) levels for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Accordingly, the effect of metformin on catfish (Clarias gariepinus) following exposure and post-exposure recovery was evaluated using blood indices as biomarkers for hematotoxicity, electrolytes imbalance, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression. The first group was a control group, the second group was exposed to 10 mg/L of metformin, and the third group was exposed to 50 mg/L of metformin for 7 days, followed by a 15-day recovery period. Hemotoxic effects of the metformin residue on fish were reported.

Results

A significant decrease in the most of antioxidants and electrolytes concentrations was observed in the present study. Low- and high- dose metformin suppressed the immunity of the exposed treated fish could be through the activation of lymphocytes and monocytes compared to control fish. Also, high dose of metformin induces cell oxidative stress through the reduction of super oxide dismutase (SOD) antioxidant enzyme and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, metformin increased the expression of inflammatory mediators as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 β). However, some parameters were returned to their normal levels after 15 days post- exposure such as urea, uric acid, superoxide dismutase, chloride and IL-1 β especially with high- dose metformin exposure.

Conclusion

We conclude that our findings contribute to the current eco-toxicological knowledge regarding commonly consumed drugs and have provided additional data for research into these drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water Biology, Faculty of Fish & Fisheries Technology, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528, Egypt

    Hesham Taher

  2. Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt

    Mahmoud S. Sabra

  3. Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528, Egypt

    Alaa El-Din Salah El-Din

  4. Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt

    Alaa El-Din H. Sayed

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  1. Hesham Taher
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Correspondence to Alaa El-Din H. Sayed.

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Hesham Taher, Mahmoud S. Sabra, Alaa El-Din Salah El-Din, Alaa El-Din H. Sayed declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Assiut University's Faculty of Science, Zoology Department, Research, Ethical Committee approved the experimental setup and fish handling.

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Taher, H., Sabra, M.S., Salah El-Din, A.ED. et al. Hemato-biochemical indices alteration, oxidative stress, and immune suppression in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to metformin. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 14, 361–369 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-022-00150-9

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