Biomarker Responses to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Native Fish Ramnogaster arcuata, South America

Quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE, Argentina) fish samples (Ramnogaster arcuata) was performed to evaluate the environmental impact through anthropogenic activity. In addition, several metabolic enzyme activities (Aspartate aminotransferase—AST, Alanine aminotransferase—ALT, Lactate dehydrogenase—LDH, Creatine kinase—CK and, Alkaline phosphatase—ALP), protein content and lipid peroxidation as oxidative stress biomarker were analyzed in muscle and liver and related to tisular PAHs levels. Results showed low to moderate PAHs levels in R. arcuata muscle (9.34–41.25 ng/g, wet weight) with a marked predominance of two/three ringed compounds (phenanthrene > naphthalene > acenaphthene > acenaphthylene > fluoranthene). Fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo-[b]fluoranthene and benzo-[a]pyrene concentrations correlated positively with hepatic AST and ALT and negatively with muscular proteins and hepatic lipid peroxidation. 2-metil-naphthalene and acenaphthene levels correlated negatively with LDH in muscle and positively with lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. Correlation of PAHs with metabolic enzymes, proteins and lipid peroxidation indicated a differential metabolization and suggesting that hepatic AST/ALT could be used as PAHs biotransformation biomarkers and muscular LDH as a stress oxidation biomarker in R. arcuata. In addition, CK activity was suggested as a good index of muscular health. The obtained results highlighted the significance of using a set of integrated biomarkers to assess PAHs toxicity in fish inhabiting their natural ambient and confirm that R. arcuata could be used as a good bioindicator for marine areas.