Peripheral atherosclerosis drug pentoxifylline modulates multi-biological parameters in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822).

Due to their ecotoxicological potential toward aquatic biota, the escalating occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic ecosystems constitutes a critical global environmental issue. The research examined variations in the behavioural, haematological, biochemical, oxidative stress and morphometric indices of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus juveniles, subjected to sub-lethal doses (3.80, 5.99, 11.38, and 22.60 mg/L) of pentoxifylline and dechlorinated carbon-filtered water (control) for 21 days, and a post-treatment duration of 7 days. Toxicity and stress- induced responses including alterations in behaviour, were documented on day 1, 7, 14, last day of exposure (day 21), and at the end of the 7 days outside the drug. Blood sample for the haematological and plasma biochemical indices, and liver for oxidative stress and morphometric indices, were also taken at the same intervals. Rapid opercula movement, excess mucus secretion, reduced feeding, and skin discoloration, increased with concentration, while corkscrew swimming, jumping and swimming rate, declined in the exposed fish. Behavioural toxicity index (BTI) increased significantly in a dose and duration dependent pattern from the fish exposure to pentoxifylline. There was a dose and duration-influenced significant fall in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, and mean corpuscular volume, while the opposite was registered for the white blood cells count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in the exposed fish. Of the differential leucocyte parameters sampled, values were only significant for the neutrophil and lymphocyte. The neutrophil increased, while the lymphocytes decreased significantly. A significant increase was registered in the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities. Conversely, a reduction was registered in the protein and glucose levels in the exposed fish. A significant reduction in the oxidative stress biomarkers, liver catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and induction in the glutathione and malondialdehyde levels, were reported in the exposed fish, in contrast to the control. The condition factor of the exposed fish, exhibited no significant difference from those of the control. On the contrary, the hepatosomatic index increased significantly, in a manner influenced by the dose of the drug and duration of the treatment, in comparison to the control. The effects of the drug abated after the 7 days- post treatment duration. The findings of this research imply that pentoxifylline is harmful to fish.