Investigation of the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of sultamicillin and cefuroxim axetil antibiotics on rainbow trout gonad cell line-2 (RTG-2)

In this study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of sultamicillin and cefuroxime axetil, antibiotics frequently encountered in the aquatic ecosystem, were investigated on the rainbow trout gonadal cell line (RTG-2). As a result of the study, IC50 concentrations were determined by applying 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 µM Sultamicillin and Cefuroxime Axetil doses to the RTG-2 cell line for 48 hours. After the application of these doses, the IC50 value of sultamicillin was calculated as 22.80 ± 1.72, and the IC50 value of cefuroxime axetil was calculated as 31.33 ± 0.95 µM. Western blot technique was used to determine apoptotic effects. For this purpose, the apoptosis-regulating proteins p53 and BCL2 were used. The study showed that sultamicillin and cefuroxime axetil increased p53 protein levels and decreased BCL2 levels compared to the control group. The results obtained indicated that even very low levels of sultamicillin and cefuroxime axetil may be harmful to fish and may cause apoptotic effects in fish.