Hepatotoxic alterations due to sodium fluoride-induced toxicity in Clarius batrachus

Abstract

 Although fluoride can be found in nature in a variety of forms and has been widely used in different products. The amount of fluoride higher than the permissible limit is toxic to liver. Fluoride in drinking water in excess (>1.5 mg/l) is unhealthy. Given that fluoride toxicity has been classified as an endemic factor for liver diseases in several nations. It is crucial to pay close attention to the precise toxic effects of fluoride on different aquatic animals. Fluoride is toxic to all the system and causes oxidative stress in various tissues and has been demonstrated to have a number of negative consequences on human and aquatic health. The study was conducted to observe the hepatotoxicity in C. batrachus due to fluoride exposure. Changes in behavior could be read as exact indicators of a stressful environment. Fish are an efficient bioindicator of a hazardous environment because they can absorb fluoride from food and water. The toxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) in fish was evaluated after acute exposure for 10 days. To evaluate the hepatotoxicity caused due to fluoride exposure three groups were set up, control, high dose (87.48 mg/l), and low dose (34.975 mg/l). The behavioral and biochemical parameters in the liver were evaluated. Results show that a high dose of fluoride is more toxic to the liver in contrast to the control group. Characteristic behavioral changes such as hyperactivity, frequent surfacing activity, a vertical swimming pattern, increased rate of opercular movement and heart rate were observed in C. batrachus. The liver biomarkers ALT, AST and LPO increased in the low and high dose as compared to the control. The increased liver and oxidative stress biomarkers were a clear indication to liver damage.