Pulmonary oxidative stress in wild bats exposed to coal dust: A model to evaluate the impact of coal mining on health.
This study aimed to verify possible alterations involving histological and oxidative stress parameters in the lungs of wild bats in the Carboniferous Basin of Santa Catarina (CBSC) state, Southern Brazil, as a means to evaluate the impact of coal dust on the health of wildlife. Specimens of frugivorous bat species Artibeus lituratus and Sturnira lilium were collected from an area free of coal dust contamination and from coal mining areas. Chemical composition, histological parameters, synthesis of oxidants and antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative damage in the lungs of bats were analyzed. Levels of Na, Cl, Cu, and Br were higher in both species collected in the CBSC than in the controls. Levels of K and Rb were higher in A. lituratus, and levels of Si, Ca, and Fe were higher in S. lilium collected in the carboniferous basin. Both bat species inhabiting the CBSC areas exhibited an increase in the degree of pulmonary emphysema compared to their counterparts collected from control areas. Sturnira lilium showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) levels, while A. lituratus showed a significant decrease in nitrite levels in the CBSC samples. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity did not change significantly; however, the activity of catalase (CAT) and levels of glutathione (GSH) decreased in the A. lituratus group from CBSC compared to those in the controls. There were no differences in NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 protein (NQO1) abundance or nitrotyrosine expression among the different groups of bats. Total thiol levels showed a significant reduction in A. lituratus from CBSC, while the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher in both A. lituratus and S. lilium groups from coal mining areas. Our results suggested that bats, especially A. lituratus, living in the CBSC could be used as sentinel species for harmful effects of coal dust on the lungs.
['Pedroso-Fidelis|Giulia Dos Santos|GDS|', 'Farias|Hémelin Resende|HR|', 'Mastella|Gustavo Antunes|GA|', 'Boufleur-Niekraszewicz|Liana Appel|LA|', 'Dias|Johnny Ferraz|JF|', 'Alves|Marcio Correa|MC|', 'Silveira|Paulo Cesar Lock|PCL|', 'Nesi|Renata Tiscoski|RT|', 'Carvalho|Fernando|F|', 'Zocche|Jairo José|JJ|', 'Pinho|Ricardo Aurino|RA|']
D000818:Animals D000975:Antioxidants D001938:Brazil D002374:Catalase D002685:Chiroptera D003031:Coal D003032:Coal Mining D004391:Dust D005978:Glutathione D008168:Lung D008315:Malondialdehyde D008670:Metals D008954:Models, Biological D018384:Oxidative Stress D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
Sentinel species Air particles Biomarker Chiroptera Heavy metals Mineral coal