Ecotoxicological evaluation of water from the Sorocaba River using an integrated analysis of biochemical and morphological biomarkers in bullfrog tadpoles, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802)

Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles were exposed for 96 h to water from two sites of the Sorocaba River (summer and winter), Ibiúna (PI) and Itupararanga reservoir (PIR) that contained metals. In the liver, in PI, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased, and the glutathione S-transferase (GST) and carbonyl proteins (PCO) increased. In PIR, the glutathione reduced (GSH) increased, while there was a decrease in catalase (CAT), GPx, GST, PCO, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In winter, GPx and GST increased in both points. Regarding the kidneys, lipoperoxidation (LPO) levels and GST decreased, while GSH increased in the summer. In the winter, LPO increased in PI. In the muscle, in the summer, there was an increase in GSH and GST and change in PCO. In the winter, the levels of PCO increased and CAT decreased in PIR. The area and volume of the hepatocyte and nucleus area increased in the summer and decreased in the winter. Hepatic melanin decreased in the summer after exposure to PIR water. There were the systemic effects of Sorocaba River water exposure at different times of the year with alterations in biomarkers at different levels, in which kidney shows highest Integrated Response of Biomarkers (IBR) value followed by liver and muscle. Biochemical biomarkers were more sensitive than morphological ones. The more sensitive biochemical markers were MT, PCO, GST and LPO. These effects confirm the hypothesis of metabolic alteration in bullfrog tadpoles by the Sorocaba River water. •Metal concentrations were lower in water and sediment than that recommended by Brazilian resolution for aquatic communities.•Metals caused oxidative stress even at low concentrations in bullfrog tadpoles.•Significant biomarkers responses were found in summer and winter at tissues of the bullfrog tadpoles at Sorocaba river.•Lithobates catesbeianus as a sensitive bioindicator of metals pollution. Acute exposure to water from the Sorocaba River induced oxidative stress, mainly in the liver and kidneys, and caused liver damage in bullfrog tadpoles even in low concentrations of metals.