Toxicity assessment of a binary nanometric mixture (ZnO/Fe2O3) in Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda Helicidae)

Abstract

The effects of harmful mixtures on living organisms are of greater importance due to exposure of these complex mixtures of contaminants in the environment. As nanoparticles (NPs) released can potentially interact with many pollutants, and even other NPs in this study, adult Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda Helicidae) were used to estimate a mixture effect of two NPs “Fe2O3 and ZnO” on the exchange of metabolites (carbohy-drates, lipids, and proteins), and some oxidative stress biomarkers: Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), Catalase (Cat), and by performing hepatopancreas histological sections of this gastropod after four weeks of treatment. During this period, snails have ingested wheat flour containing the powder of this mixture at doses of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/g of wheat flour. The biochemical assays of metabolites reveal disturbances in metabolism by increasing the protein content and decreasing lipid and carbohydrate levels. The decrease of GSH level, GST activity, and Cat activity proves that failure of the detoxification system triggers oxidative stress. The histological study confirms the biochemical results by the tissue lesions, which are very serious, and in a surprisingly dependent dose manner with inflammations, necrosis, hypertrophies, degeneration of the connective tissue, and tubular membranes.