Comparative Toxicological Evaluation of Tattoo Inks on Two Model Organisms

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Tattooing is a technique that introduces colored substances under the skin in order to color it permanently. The effects of PR170 on Xenopus laevis embryos and Daphnia magna nauplii have been studied. PR170 has nanoparticles dimensions. It modifies the survival of embryos and expression of the ATP-binding cassette in both models. Moreover, it induces deformed embryos and modifies the expression of genes involved in development and of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in Xenopus embryos. These effects are probably due to the oxidative stress production derived by the accumulation of PR170 and, in particular, to the presence of the azoic group in the pigment. Further studies needed to better understand the effects of commercial tattoo inks. ABSTRACT: Tattooing is a technique that introduces colored substances under the skin in order to color it permanently. Decomposition products of tattoo pigments produce numerous damages for the skin and other organs. We studied the effects of a commercial red ink tattoo, PR170, on Xenopus laevis embryos and Daphnia magna nauplii using concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg/L. For Xenopus, we applied the FETAX protocol analyzing survival, malformations, growth, heart rate, and the expression of genes involved in the development. In D. magna, we evaluated the toxicity with an immobilization test. Moreover, we investigated the production of ROS, antioxidant enzymes, and the expression of the ATP-binding cassette in both models. Our results indicate that PR170 pigment has nanoparticle dimensions, modifies the survival and the ATP-binding cassette activity, and induces oxidative stress that probably produces the observed effects in both models. Deformed embryos were observed in Xenopus, probably due to the modification of expression of genes involved in development. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also modified in this amphibian. We think that these effects are due to the accumulation of PR170 and, in particular, to the presence of the azoic group in the chemical structure of this pigment. Further studies needed to better understand the effects of commercial tattoo inks.