You are here:
Kinetics and Effects of Dichloroacetic Acid in Rainbow Trout
Citation:
FITZSIMMONS, P. N., A. D. HOFFMAN, A. D. HOFFMAN, G. J. LIEN, D. E. HAMMERMEISTER, AND J. W. NICHOLS. Kinetics and Effects of Dichloroacetic Acid in Rainbow Trout. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 94(3):186-194, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
The results of this work provide a basis for designing additional studies aimed at assessing the risks posed to fish by chronic exposure to HAAs.
Description:
Halogenated acetic acids (HAAs) are continuously released to surface waters in municipal wastewater effluents. Very little is known, however, about their potential to adversely impact aquatic life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the uptake, distribution, elimination, and effects of an important HAA, dichloroacetic acid (DCA), in rainbow trout. The results of this work suggest that clearance of DCA in trout is due principally to biotransformation. Moreover, the enzyme(s) responsible for this activity exhibited characteristics, including concentration-dependence and substrate inhibition, similar to glutathione transferase zeta (GSTæ), which is the enzyme responsible for elimination of DCA in mammals. High concentrations of DCA caused a decrease in circulating levels of blood lactate but otherwise, were not associated with overt toxic effects. The results of this work provide a basis for designing additional studies aimed at assessing the risks posed to fish by chronic exposure to HAAs.