Exposure to silver nanoparticles produces oxidative stress and affects macromolecular and metabolic biomarkers in the goodeid fish Chapalichthys pardalis

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most commercialized nanomaterial worldwide, mainly due to their microbicidal activity. Although, AgNPs have been shown to be toxic to aquatic species, their effect on endemic fish, like Goodeidae, has not been demonstrated. Endemic species are under strong pressures by anthropogenic contamination and destruction of their habitat; therefore, we studied adult Chapalichthys pardalis, an endemic fish of Mexico. We evaluated the toxic effect of AgNPs through oxidative stress, macromolecular and metabolic biomarkers. We determined the LC₅₀ (96 h) and performed subchronic tests (21 days) using sublethal AgNPs concentrations (equivalent to CL₁ and CL₁₀). At the end of the bioassay, we quantified 10 stress biomarkers in the liver, gills, and muscle, including the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and glutathione [GPx]), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), protein oxidation (C[dbnd]O), macromolecules (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates), and metabolites (glucose and lactate). In addition, we determined the integrated biomarkers response (IBR). LC₅₀ was of 10.32 mg L^− 1. Results of subchronic exposure (21 days) revealed that AgNPs produce oxidative stress in C. pardalis adults, as evidenced by a diminution in antioxidant enzymes activity and an increase in TBARS and oxidized proteins. AgNPs also diminished levels of macromolecules and generated a high-energy consumption, reflected in the reduction of glucose levels, although lactate levels were not altered. The IBR analysis evidenced that the largest effect was produced in organisms exposed to LC₁₀, being the liver and gills the organs with the greatest damage. Results demonstrated that exposure to AgNPs induces acute and chronic toxic effects on C. pardalis and forewarns about the impact that these nanomaterials can exert on these ecologically relevant aquatic organisms.