BIOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF AFLATOXIN B1 ON THE LEVEL OF NUCLEIC ACIDS IN CURP TISSUES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58407/bht.3.25.9Keywords:
crucian carp, aflatoxin B1, DNA, RNA, nucleases, toxicology, aquacultureAbstract
Purpose of the work. The aim of this study was to provide a biochemical assessment of the influence of aflatoxin B1 on nucleic acid levels in tissues of the crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.), including determination of DNA and RNA content, their ratio (RNA/DNA), and the activity of the enzymes DNase and RNase.
Methodology. The experiment was carried out on two-year-old crucian carp weighing 250–350 g under controlled aquarium conditions. Fish were divided into three groups: control and two experimental groups exposed to aflatoxin B1 at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. The exposure lasted for 14 days. Liver, muscle, gill, and brain tissues were collected for analysis. DNA and RNA contents were determined spectrophotometrically; nuclease activity was assessed by measuring nucleic acid degradation in soluble fractions. Statistical evaluation was performed using variation statistics and Student’s t-test.
Scientific novelty. It was found that aflatoxin B1 exerts a dose-dependent effect on nucleic acid homeostasis in fish tissues. Even at the lower concentration (0.5 mg/L), significant decreases in RNA content and RNA/DNA ratio were recorded, indicating suppressed protein-synthetic activity of cells. At 1.0 mg/L, RNA levels decreased by 25–35 % compared to the control, while the RNA/DNA ratio dropped to 0.52–0.71. Simultaneously, a significant increase in DNase and RNase activities was observed, reflecting enhanced nucleic acid degradation.
Conclusions. Aflatoxin B1 acts as a strong stress factor for aquatic organisms, inducing destructive changes in nucleic acid structure, suppressing protein synthesis, and activating nuclease activity. These results highlight the potential use of DNA, RNA, their ratio, and nuclease activity as sensitive biomarkers of toxic load in aquaculture.
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