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The aquatic environment is the major recipient of wastes containing nanoparticles and other contaminants. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPTiO 2 ) are one of the most produced and used nanoparticle worldwide. This study investigated the toxicity of NPTiO 2 , as well as the toxicity interaction between NPTiO 2 and lead (Pb), in response to genetic and biochemical biomarkers using freshwater fish Rhamdia quelen, as an animal model. The results showed genotoxicity in blood and kidney tissues. No effect of NPTiO 2 alone or in co-exposure with Pb on liver genotoxicity were observed. Alterations in the antioxidant hepatic enzymes activities, as well as alterations in glutathione levels indicated that NPTiO 2 alone or in co-exposure with Pb can cause antioxidant imbalance. The lipid peroxidation was also raised after exposure to NPTiO 2 . In general, the results of this study indicated that both NPTiO 2 alone and their co-exposure with Pb are capable of producing significant toxic effects in short-term exposure., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NpTiO 2 ) are the most widely-used nanoparticle type and the adsorption of metals such as lead (PbII) onto their surface is a major source of concern to scientists. This study evaluated the effects of the associated exposure to both types of contaminant, i.e., lead (a known genotoxic metal) and NpTiO 2 , in a freshwater fish (Astyanax serratus) through intraperitoneal injection for an acute assay of 96 h. The effects of this exposure were evaluated using the comet assay, DNA diffusion assay and piscine micronucleus test, as well as the quantification of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GST) and metallothioneins. Our findings indicate that co-exposure of PbII with NpTiO 2 can provoke ROS imbalances, leading to DNA damage in the blood and liver tissue of A. serratus, as well as modifying erythropoiesis in this species, inducing necrosis and changing the nuclear morphology of the erythrocytes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)