Immunotoxicological, histopathological, and ultrastructural effects of waterborne pyrogallol exposure on African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Pyrogallol is a naturally occurring polyphenol derived from natural plants, such as Acer rubrum and Eucalyptus sp. The current study was designed to evaluated pyrogallol-mediated toxicity at sublethal levels (1, 5, and 10 mg/L), derived from 96 h-LC50 values previously determined for African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Immunotoxicological indices, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural alterations in C. gariepinus were evaluated following a 15-day pyrogallol exposure. Pyrogallol decreased immune parameters [lysozyme activity (LYZ), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and phagocytic activity] and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum of C. gariepinus. In addition, histopathology analysis demonstrated that exposure to pyrogallol induced injury in the liver and spleen of fish. Cellular changes in the liver include hepatocyte hydropic degeneration, melanomacrophage, vacuolated hepatocytes, congested blood, severe structural deformation, and hemorrhage. In the spleen, ellipsoid structures, melanomacrophage centers, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were evident. Together, a high frequency of histopathological lesions was scored in both the liver and spleen of C. gariepinus, which showed a dose-dependent relationship between pyrogallol exposure and histopathological indices. Our data suggest that dysfunction in the immune system may be mediated by pyrogallol-induced changes in cytokines.