Influence of copper accumulation in tissues of Oreochromis niloticus exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulphate with its effect on some serum parameters and on enzyme activities in serum and liver

Effects of 10, 50, and 100 µg/L waterborne copper sulphate (CuSO4) and CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on copper accumulation in gill, liver, kidney, spleen and muscle tissues of O. niloticus were determined after 1, 7 and 15 days of exposure. Changes in sera glucose, total protein, albumin and triglyceride levels and serum ChE, AST, ALT, ALP and liver SOD, CAT and GPx activities influenced by this accumulation were also studied. Copper levels increased in gill, liver, kidney and spleen tissues of O. niloticus compared to control when exposed to both CuSO4 and CuO NPs whereas no accumulation was detected in muscle tissue at the end of the exposure period. Highest accumulation of copper was observed in the order of liver, kidney, spleen and gill tissues, respectively. Serum glucose and albumin levels increased while serum total protein, cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased compared with control at the end of the 15th day. There was also a decrease in serum ChE activity whereas serum AST, ALT, ALP and LDH activities increased. SOD, CAT and GPx activities increased in liver tissue at the end of the exposure period. Overall, CuO NPs more effective than CuSO4 in terms of tissue accumulation and liver enzyme activities while CuSO4 and CuO NPs had similar effects in serum parameters of O. niloticus.