FISHSTRESS · The impact of nutrition on fish under multiple stress situations: the influence of lipids in sensitivity to metals and thermal stress
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2013-09-01 → 2016-01-11
- EU contribution
- €169,800
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-IEF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
The impact of nutrition on fish under multiple stress situations: the influence of lipids in sensitivity to metals and thermal stress.
Various factors can influence organism fitness and therefore its capacity to cope with chemical stressors (Holmstrup et al., 2010). Among them, dietary lipid composition strongly influences fish lipid composition and thus a multitude of physiological processes in which lipids are involved (Tocher, 2003). Indeed, lipids in fish play essential roles at both structural (e.g. composition of cell membrane) and functional (energy storage, precursor of eicosanoids...) levels (Tocher, 2003). In addition, the chemical structure (length, unsaturation) of those fatty acids is likely to influence their properties (e.g. fluidity) but also their sensitivity to damages induced by toxicant (e.g. oxidative stress). Therefore, modification of fatty acids composition is likely to influence fish response to toxicants. In this context, the FishStress project aims to determine how dietary fatty acids can modulate fish sensitivity to metal (mercury, cadmium) and thermal stress. In a first time, to explore this question, an in vitro approach has been developed using fish liver cell line RTL-W1. We successfully develop a method to manipulate fatty acid composition of RTL-W1 cells, providing thus a powerful tool to investigate the effects of specific fatty acid on cell response to contamination. Then, we showed that the fatty acid composition of fish cell membrane significantly modulates their sensitivity to methylmercury (MeHg) and cadmium (Cd). In particular, RTL-W1 cell enrichment in ALA, EPA and to a lesser extent in AA, DPA and DHA increased cell resistance to MeHg and Cd while LA enrichment did not change cell tolerance to any of the metallic compounds tested. These differences in tolerance did not seem to be associated with a decrease in intracellular metal concentration but might rather be linked to cellular mechanisms involved in stress response. In a second time, to confirm the in vitro observations at higher level of biological organization in vitro experiments with juvenile rainbow trout were performed. To do so, we formulated specific diets for trout allowing the modification of their fatty acid profile without impairing their fitness or growth performance. Then, we showed that the fatty acid composition of not only liver and muscle but also brain tissue could be influenced by the fatty acid composition of diets, in rainbow trout juvenile. Following fatty acid modification by diets, juvenile rainbow trouts have been exposed to environmental concentrations of dietary MeHg. Comparison of the response (gene expression, intracellular metal concentrations...) to this chronic contamination between the fish fed the different diets is currently under analyses and would help understanding the potential protective effect of specific fatty acids.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
In Europe, natural and man-engineered aquatic ecosystems undergo multiple anthropogenic pressures that challenge their good functioning and/or productivity. Most of ecotoxicological studies have been focusing on single stressor whereas the combined effects of multiple stressors may not simply be additive, but antagonistic or synergistic. Therefore, the FishStress project addresses the question of multiple stressors in fish with a focus on nutrient/nutritional stress, chemical stress induced by metals and thermal stress since these are the drivers of ecosystem health and aquaculture productivity. The main objectives are to determine the effect of nutritional quality, tissue lipid status and selected lipids on the response of fish cells, tissues and individuals to metal (Cd and MeHg) and thermal stress across different levels of biological organisation and to verify to what extent multiple stress effects occurring at higher levels of organisation can be predicted/explained based on observations of effects occurring at lower levels. During the 2 years of the project, different experiments on fish (zebra fish and rainbow trout) will be conducted. On one hand the influence of different FA profiles of fish on their further sensitivity to metal exposure and/or thermal stress will be studied. On the other hand, the influence of metal exposure or thermal stress during fish maturation on the assimilation of different FA will be investigated. The investigation will be conducted at different levels of biological organisation (from cells to population) and will involve molecular biological measurements (e.g. genomic studies, antioxidant enzymes activities) as well as fitness' indicators (e.g. growth, reproduction). Thanks to this approach, the FishStress project will provide a solid framework to better understand multiple stressors on fish and to link the biological effects across biological levels of organisation.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN · LOUVAIN LA NEUVECoordinatorBelgium
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union