Toxicological Effects of Thimerosal and Aluminum in the Liver, Kidney, and Brain of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

• Published in: Metabolites Vol. 13; no. 9; p. 975
• Main Authors: Galiciolli, Maria Eduarda Andrade, Silva, Juliana Ferreira, Prodocimo, Maritana Mela, Laureano, Henrique Aparecido, Calado, Sabrina Loise de Morais, Oliveira, Claudia Sirlene, Guiloski, Izonete Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 27.08.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase; adjuvants; Aluminum; Aluminum hydroxide; Antigens; Aquariums; biomarkers; Brain research; Chemical elements; Chemical properties; Complications and side effects; Danio rerio; Developing countries; Enzymatic activity; Health aspects; histopathology; Kidneys; Laboratory animals; LDCs; Liver; metals; Mortality; Neurotoxicity; Organic chemicals; Pharmaceutical industry; Population studies; preservative; Preservatives; Proteins; Thimerosal; Toxicity; vaccine; Vaccines; Zebrafish; Brazil; St Louis Missouri; United States > US
• ISSN: 2218-1989; 2218-1989
• DOI: 10.3390/metabo13090975

Vaccination programs in the first years of a child’s life are effective and extremely important strategies for the successful eradication of diseases. However, as no intervention is without risks, the metal-based components of some vaccines, such as thimerosal (TMS), a preservative composed of ethylmercury, and aluminum (Al), have begun to generate distrust on the part of the population. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of exposure to thimerosal and aluminum hydroxide (alone or in mixture) on Danio rerio (zebrafish) specimens. The fish were exposed to thimerosal and/or aluminum hydroxide intraperitoneally. The liver, kidney, and brain were removed for a biochemical biomarker analysis, histopathological analysis, and metal quantification. As a result, we observed changes in the activity of the analyzed enzymes (SOD, GST, GPx) in the kidney and brain of the zebrafish, a reduction in GSH levels in all analyzed tissues, and a reduction in MT levels in the kidney and liver as well as in the brain. Changes in AChE enzyme activity were observed. The biochemical results corroborate the changes observed in the lesion index and histomorphology sections. We emphasize the importance of joint research on these compounds to increase the population’s safety against their possible toxic effects.