Franco_2019_Chemosphere_222_175

Psychiatric pharmaceuticals are one of the most prescribed active substances globally. Bupropion (BPP) is an antidepressant that acts via inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake. It has been found in various water matrices, and thus its effects on aquatic organisms must be studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the acute toxic effects of BPP on zebrafish (Danio rerio) early life stages. For developmental analysis, organisms were exposed for 168h to concentrations ranging from 0 to 82000mug/L. Two other experiments were performed by exposing embryos to a wide range of concentrations (from 0 to 50000mug/L) in order to evaluate BPP effects on embryonic behavior, using the Zebrabox and testing at the biochemical level (acetylcholinesterase, glutathione-S-transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and catalase). Developmental analysis indicated that BPP had low acute toxicity with a calculated 168 h-LC50 of 50346mug/L. Concentrations equal to or above 44800mug/L elicited several effects such as hatching delay, edemas and tail deformities. However, concentrations from 7300mug/L upwards elicited equilibrium alteration. Behavioral analysis showed that BPP affected zebrafish locomotor behavior by decreasing activity at 0.6mug/L, increasing activity at 8.8 and 158mug/L, and decreasing activity at 50000mug/L. Biochemical analysis showed an increase of AChE activity at 158 and 2812mug/L, an increase in GST at the highest concentrations, CAT alteration and increase of LDH at 0.6, 2812 and 50000mug/L. We can conclude that BPP affects zebrafish early life stages at environmental concentrations.