Temporal and dosage impact of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on grass carp: unveiling oxidative stress, DNA damage, and antioxidant suppression

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) have gained significant importance in biomedicine and variety of nanotechnology-based materials used in the agriculture and biomedical industries. However, the release of different nanowastes in the water ecosystem becomes a serious concern. Therefore, this study was executed to evaluate the toxic impacts of MgO NPs on grass carp. A total of 60 grass carp were randomly divided in three groups (G0, G1, and G2). Fish reared in group G0 were kept as control while fish of groups G1 and G2 were exposed to 0.5 mg/L and 0.7 mg/L MgO NPs, respectively, mixed in water for 21 days. The 96h median lethal concentration (LC50) of MgO NPs was found to be 4.5 mg/L. Evaluation of oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, DNA damage in different visceral organs and the presence of micronuclei in erythrocytes were determined on days 7, 14, and 21 of the trial. Results revealed dose- and time-dependent significantly increased values of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation product, DNA damage in multiple visceral organs and formation of micronuclei in the erythrocytes of treated fish (0.7 mg/L). The results on antioxidant profile exhibited significantly lower amounts of total proteins, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase in visceral organs of the fish exposed to MgO NPs (0.5 and 0.7 mg/L) at day 21 of trial compared to control group. In conclusion, it has been recorded that MgO NPs severely influence the normal physiological functions of the grass carp even at low doses.