Subacute Effects of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate on Oxidative Enzymes and Liver Responses in Clarias gariepinus: Dose and Time-Dependent Effects

Abstract

The present study was performed to determine the sublethal effects of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) on oxidative stress enzymes and liver response enzymes in Clarias gariepinus. The fish that was self-grown were exposed to the concentrations of SLES observed in the field (0.00, 1.00,1.50, 2.00, 2.50) mg/L for 30 days. Standard protocols were used to quantify superoxide dismutase and alanine aminotransferase activities in the blood of the fish. The hematoxylin and eosin histological examination procedure was used to determine the change in the treated fish’s liver. Superoxide dismutase showed a remarkable initiatory increment followed by a descending pattern. Also, during exposure times, alanine aminotransferase activity increased markedly with increasing concentrations of SLES, and duration of the exposure. Vacuolar degeneration, severe necrosis, dilation of sinusoids, desquamation of the hepatocytes, lipid accumulation, clusters of lymphocytes, and fibroblasts are major pathological alterations observed in the fish exposed to SLES, and were dose and time-dependent. These results indicate that exposure to this anionic surfactant modifies changes in oxidative stress enzymes, and the induction of these enzymes correlated with the pathological changes in the liver of the fish. This study has shown that sodium lauryl ether sulphate can alter an organism's system even at very low doses, thus indiscriminately release these surfactants, especially anionic surfactants into the environment are admonished to be periodically monitored by environmental regulatory agencies. For a more informed public, environmental education and advocacy should be carried out regarding the effects on fisheries and, subsequently, human health through fish consumption and groundwater contaminati