Effect of diclofenac on bmp1 gene expression and its influence on bone distortion in sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna (Lesueur, 1821)

Abstract

Importance of the work: Diclofenac (DCF) causes bone deformities when animals are exposed for a long period. The effect of DCF on bone genes was investigated.
Objectives: To identify the malformations of affected bone and the level of gene expression after treatment with DCF.
Materials & Methods: Sailfish molly (Poecilia latipinna) fish were exposed to DCF at concentrations of 0.5 mg/L and 1 mg/L for 14 d. Morphological abnormalities were detected using radiological examinations. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect bmp1 expression after DCF exposure. Phenotypic deformities were observed in the jaws, spine, eye socket and iris, as well as hemorrhagic areas behind the eye and in the head.
Results: The mean (± SD) relative expression levels of bmp1 were 1.053 ± (0.02), 0.760 ± (0.03) and 0.595 ± (0.05) following 0 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L and 1 mg/L DCF treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). Considering the sex, these values for mature males were 1.016± (0.01), 0.720± (0.03) and 0.616 ± (0.02) (p < 0.05) while those in mature females were 1.042 ± (0.03), 0.735 ± (0.12) and 0.625 ± (0.15), respectively (p < 0.05).
Main finding: DCF has effects on bone remodeling in the jaws and other bone parts due to the disturbance in osteoclast function affected by bone gene disturbance.