A Metabonomic Investigation of Zebrafish Exposed to Bisphenol A

Metabonomics approach based on the GC-MS technique was used to characterize the perturbation of volatile and semi-volatile components in zebrafish embryos induced by bisphenol A (BPA) for 8 d since fertilization. The exposure concentrations of BPA were 0, 0.5, 1.5 and 4.5 mg/L, around assumed a "safe level" (1.5 mg/L) that stated by US EPA. Results indicated that, the relative proportions of 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid and myo-sitosterol were decreased dramatically at 1.5 mg/L BPA, and those of saturated fatty acid (SAF), amino acid and D-myo-inositol were increased significantly. Therefore, 1.5 mg/L BPA would disturb the regular metabolizing of zebrafish. These alterations were related with the physiological and histological changes found in the exposure stage. The integration of metabonomics approach and conventional toxicology study may provide invaluable information in assessing the risk of environment pollutants.