Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews
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J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev · Jan 2011
ReviewPharmaceuticals as neuroendocrine disruptors: lessons learned from fish on Prozac.
Pharmaceuticals are increasingly detected in a variety of aquatic systems. One of the most prevalent environmental pharmaceuticals in North America and Europe is the antidepressant fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and the active ingredient of Prozac. Usually detected in the range below 1 μg/L, fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine are found to bioaccumulate in wild-caught fish, particularly in the brain. ⋯ Studies on the goldfish, Carassius auratus, whose neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction and food intake are well characterized, are described and represent a reliable model to study neuroendocrine disruption. In addition, fish studies investigating the effects of fluoxetine, not only on reproduction and food intake, but also on stress and behavior, are discussed to complement the emerging picture of neuroendocrine disruption of physiological systems in fish exposed to fluoxetine. Environmental relevance and key lessons learned from the effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine on fish are highlighted and may be helpful in designing targeted approaches for future risk assessments of pharmaceuticals disrupting the neuroendocrine system in general.