| Popis: |
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are ubiquitous low-level contaminants in the aquatic environment. The molecular targets of many PPCPs play critical roles in evolutionarily conserved xenobiotic biotransformation and cellular energy production pathways. This chapter reviews the effects of PPCPs on metabolic processes in fish. We discuss PPCP-induced modulation of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis, effects on bioenergetics as indicated by the function of the mitochondrial electron transport system, and alteration of the metabolome. We also review the effects of PPCPs on physiological responses that are directly related to these subcellular metabolic processes, including growth, locomotion, and feeding and reproductive behavior. In addition, we identify directions for future research to address key data gaps. Although exposures of fish to environmentally relevant concentrations of PPCPs are generally sub-lethal, yet researchers have suggested that PPCP-induced modulation of physiological responses, driven by alteration of subcellular metabolic pathways, may lead to deficits in population fitness and survival of fish. Hence, we advocate continued research to elucidate the mechanisms of action of PPCPs on fish metabolic pathways, physiology, and behavior to guide ecological risk assessment of PPCPs in the aquatic environment. |
