Effects of two alternative plasticizers on the growth hormone-related endocrine system, neurodevelopment, and oxidative stress of zebrafish larvae

In response to the restriction of phthalate plasticizers, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and acetyl triethyl citrate (ATEC) have been used in medical devices and food packaging. In the present study, the effects of ATBC and ATEC on the development, behavior, growth hormone (GH)-related endocrine system, neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress of zebrafish embryo or larvae were investigated. After exposure of zebrafish to ATBC and ATEC (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3, 30, and 300 μg/L) for 96 h, developmental toxicity, behavioral changes under light/dark condition, changes in hormones and genes involved in GH/insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) axis, changes in hormone, enzyme, and genes related to neurodevelopment, antioxidant enzymes activities were determined. Larvae exposed to 30 or 300 μg/L ATBC showed significant reductions in body length and moving distance and speed, whereas no significant effects on development and locomotor behavior were observed in larvae exposed to ATEC. The contents of GH and IGF-I were significantly reduced in larvae exposed to 3, 30, and 300 μg/L ATBC. Hormonal changes in fish exposed to ATBC are well supported by regulation of genes related to GH (gh1) and the activity of IGF-I (igf1). In fish exposed to ATBC, reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and down-regulation of genes related to the central nervous system development (ache, gap43, mbpa, and syn21) were observed. ATBC increased the production of reactive oxygen species and the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Notably, pre-treatment with the classic antioxidant N-acetylcysteine alleviated ATBC-induced GH-related endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity. Our observations showed that exposure to low levels of ATBC could disturb the regulatory systems of GH/IGFs axis and neurobehavior, ultimately leading to developmental inhibition and hypoactivity, and that increased oxidative stress plays a major role in these toxicities.