Regulation of nodularin-induced apoptosis by epigallocatechin-3-gallate on fish lymphocytes in vitro.

Nodularin is one of the most conspicuous and widespread pollutants that elicit water ecological hazards to fish, causing serious damage on the immune system and physiological functions. Nodularin can cause oxidative stress-induced apoptosis on fish lymphocytes. The regulatory effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) at 10, 100, and 1000 μg/L levels on the antioxidant defense system and apoptosis of Carassius auratus lymphocytes exposed to a high dose of nodularin (100 μg/L) were quantified in vitro.

Apoptotic responses of Carassius auratus lymphocytes to nodularin exposure in vitro.

Nodularin, a metabolite of Nodularin spumigena, is widely detected in water blooms worldwide and causes serious negative effects on fish. The apoptosis-related cytotoxic effects and mechanisms of nodularin on Carassius auratus lymphocytes were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that nodularin-treated lymphocytes display a series of morphological changes, including condensed cytoplasm, nuclear chromatin agglutination and marginalization.