Correlation between Heavy Metal-Induced Histopathological Changes and Trophic Interactions between Different Fish Species

This study assessed the distribution of heavy metals in gills, kidney, and liver, correlated with severity histopathological changes, three fish species different feeding habitats (Barbus barbus, Squalius cephalus, Chondrostoma nasus) from Cri?ul Negru river, Romania. The levels copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) tissues were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Histopathology expressions TNF-? proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) investigated immunohistochemistry Western blot. Our data suggest a significant correlation between bioconcentration level structural changes. carnivorous was most affected compared to omnivorous herbivorous ones, organ kidney. Moreover, tissue damage PCNA expression revealed that presented less extended lesions, likely due higher activated repair mechanisms lower inflammation. In conclusion, our subsequent statistical analysis behavior could be alterations might used for more profound evaluation aquatic environment safety ecosystems.