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Methamphetamine exposure modulated oxidative status and altered the reproductive output in Daphnia magna
Beatrice De Felice1, Simona Mondellini1, Noelia Salgueiro-González2
1Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Methamphetamine (METH) is a central nervous system stimulant drug whose use has increased in the last few years worldwide. After the ingestion of even a single dose, METH is excreted by the organism and enters the aquatic ecosystems, whereby concentrations up to hundreds of ng/L were measured in both sewage and surface waters. Although the environmental concentrations are currently quite low, the high biological activity of METH might cause adverse effects towards non-target organisms. However, to date the information on METH toxicity towards aquatic organisms is limited. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating biochemical and behavioral effects induced by METH exposure towards the Cladoceran Daphnia magna. A 21-days exposure to two environmental concentrations of METH (50 ng/L and 500 ng/L) was performed. At selected time points (7, 14 and 21 days) the amount of pro-oxidant molecules, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured as oxidative stress-related endpoints. Changes in swimming activity and reproductive output were assessed as behavioral endpoints. METH exposure affected the oxidative status of D. magna specimens at both tested concentrations, although no oxidative damage occurred. Although METH did not modulate the swimming activity of D. magna, a significant, positive effect on reproductive output, in terms of number of offspring was found. Our results showed that low concentrations of METH might represent a threat for D. magna, affecting the health status of this aquatic species at different level of biological organization.
Insights
Methamphetamine (METH) in water affects Daphnia magna's oxidative status and increases offspring production. Even low METH concentrations pose a threat to aquatic invertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Aquatic ecotoxicology
- Invertebrate biology
Background:
- Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely used stimulant drug with increasing global prevalence.
- METH is excreted into aquatic ecosystems, with measured concentrations up to hundreds of ng/L in sewage and surface waters.
- Limited data exists on METH's toxicity to aquatic organisms, despite its high biological activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biochemical and behavioral effects of METH exposure on the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna.
- To assess oxidative stress biomarkers and behavioral changes in D. magna exposed to environmentally relevant METH concentrations.
- To evaluate the potential ecological risks of METH contamination in freshwater ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Daphnia magna were exposed to two environmentally relevant concentrations of METH (50 ng/L and 500 ng/L) for 21 days.
- Biochemical endpoints including pro-oxidant molecules, antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, GPx), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured.
- Behavioral endpoints such as swimming activity and reproductive output (number of offspring) were assessed at 7, 14, and 21 days.
Main Results:
- METH exposure at both tested concentrations altered the oxidative status of D. magna.
- No significant oxidative damage was observed, but antioxidant enzyme activity and pro-oxidant levels were affected.
- Swimming activity remained unchanged, but a significant increase in reproductive output (number of offspring) was observed.
Conclusions:
- Low environmental concentrations of Methamphetamine can impact the health of Daphnia magna at multiple biological levels.
- METH exposure affects oxidative stress markers and enhances reproductive output in D. magna.
- These findings highlight a potential ecological threat to aquatic invertebrates from pharmaceutical pollution.
