Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, 320314, Taiwan; Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, 320314, Taiwan.
Department of Applied Physics, National Pingtung University, Pingtung, 90003, Taiwan.
Environ Pollut. 2021 Jun 1;278:116907. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116907. Epub 2021 Mar 10.
Graphene (GR) and graphene oxide (GO) are widely being used as promising candidates for biomedical applications, as well as for bio-sensing, drug delivery, and anticancer therapy. However, their undesirable side effects make it necessary to assess further the toxicity and safety of using these materials. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the toxicities of GR and GO in predicted environmental relevant concentrations in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), particularly on their behaviors, and conducted biochemical assays to elucidate the possible mechanism that underlies their toxicities. Zebrafish was chronically (∼14 days) exposed to two different doses of GR (0.1 and 0.5 ppm) or GO (0.1 and 1 ppm). At 14 ± 1 days, a battery of behavioral tests was conducted, followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) test on the following day to inspect the alterations in antioxidant activity, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitters in the treated zebrafish brain. An alteration in predator avoidance behavior was observed in all treated groups, while GR-treated fish exhibited abnormal exploratory behavior. Furthermore, altered locomotor activity was displayed by most of the treated groups, except for the high concentration of the GR group. From the ELISA results, we discovered a high concentration of GR exposure significantly decreased several neurotransmitters and cortisol levels. Meanwhile, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) were displayed by the group treated with low and high doses of GR and GO, respectively. These significant changes would possibly affect zebrafish behaviors and might suggest the potential toxicity from GR and GO exposures. To sum up, the present study presented new evidence for the effects of GR and GO in zebrafish behavioral dysregulation. We hope these assessments can contribute to our understanding of graphene and graphene oxide biosafety.
石墨烯（GR）和氧化石墨烯（GO）被广泛用作有前途的生物医学应用候选材料，以及用于生物传感、药物输送和抗癌治疗。然而，它们的不良副作用使得有必要进一步评估使用这些材料的毒性和安全性。本研究的主要目的是研究预测环境相关浓度下 GR 和 GO 在成年斑马鱼（Danio rerio）中的毒性，特别是它们的行为，并进行生化分析以阐明其毒性的可能机制。斑马鱼被慢性（约 14 天）暴露于两种不同剂量的 GR（0.1 和 0.5 ppm）或 GO（0.1 和 1 ppm）。在 14±1 天时，进行了一系列行为测试，随后在第二天进行酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）测试，以检查处理后的斑马鱼大脑中的抗氧化活性、氧化应激和神经递质的变化。在所有处理组中都观察到了捕食者回避行为的改变，而 GR 处理的鱼表现出异常的探索行为。此外，除了 GR 高浓度组外，大多数处理组的运动活性都发生了改变。从 ELISA 结果中，我们发现高浓度 GR 暴露会显著降低几种神经递质和皮质醇水平。同时，低剂量和高剂量 GR 和 GO 处理组分别显示出活性氧（ROS）的升高。这些显著的变化可能会影响斑马鱼的行为，并可能表明 GR 和 GO 暴露的潜在毒性。总之，本研究为 GR 和 GO 对斑马鱼行为失调的影响提供了新的证据。我们希望这些评估能有助于我们对石墨烯和氧化石墨烯生物安全性的理解。
