Detoxication of industrial pollutants by the glutathione glutathione-S-transferase system in the liver of Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

The toxic effects of in situ exposure of a native fish species (Anabas testudineus) to electronic waste pollution

In recent decades, crude recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has caused serious pollution and threatened wild organisms in certain regions. It is therefore valuable to investigate the pollution-induced toxic effects in situ using native fish species. Unlike the death or decline observed in other species, Anabas testudineus can better adapt to severe e-waste pollution. Using it as a model, the true status of this wild organism was revealed. We collected A. testudineus from two polluted sites (st1 and st2) and conducted transcriptome analyses of the liver, gill, and kidney. Clear whole-transcriptome differences were found between polluted and clean sites and between differentially polluted sites (st1 and st2). Pathway analysis revealed that long-term e-waste pollution would cause significant hypoxia, oxidative stress, and potentially apoptosis. Accordingly, several defensive responses were elicited including 'oxidation-reduction' and the 'unfolded protein response'. Certain biological processes, including 'DNA repair' and 'endoplasmic reticulum stress response', were altered in a tissue- or burden-specific pattern suggesting transcriptome plasticity in response to distinct burdens. This study revealed the toxic impacts of e-waste pollution on wild organisms using a native fish species. Additionally, due to its highly adaptive nature, A. testudineus could be a suitable test species for such severe conditions in the wild or otherwise.

Sub-chronic exposure to fluoxetine in juvenile oysters (Crassostrea gigas): uptake and biological effects

The bioconcentration potential of fluoxetine (FLX) and its biological effects were investigated in juvenile Pacific oyster exposed for 28 days to environmentally relevant concentrations of FLX (1 ng L(-1), 100 ng L(-1) and up to 10 μg L(-1)). FLX bioaccumulated in oyster flesh resulting in 28-day bioconcentration factors greater than 2,000 and 10,000 by referring to wet and dry weights, respectively. Nevertheless, FLX did not induce oyster mortality, delayed gametogenesis, or lead to adverse histopathological alterations. At the two highest concentrations, despite non-optimal trophic conditions, FLX stimulated shell growth but only in a transient manner, suggesting a role of serotonin in the regulation of feeding and metabolism in bivalves. Those high concentrations seemed to drive bell-shaped responses of catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities throughout the exposure period, which may indicate the activation of antioxidant enzyme synthesis and then an enhanced catabolic rate or direct inhibition of those enzymes. However, no clear oxidative stress was detected because no strong differences in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) content (i.e. lipid peroxidation) were observed between oyster groups, suggesting that cellular defence mechanisms were effective. These results demonstrate the importance of considering additional biomarkers of oxidative stress to obtain a comprehensive overview of the FLX-induced changes in marine bivalves exposed under realistic conditions. Considering the battery of biomarkers used, FLX appears to induce little or no effects on oyster physiology even at a concentration of 10 μg L(-1). These results do not confirm the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) values reported by some authors in other mollusc species.

Effects of subchronic exposure to glyphosate in juvenile oysters (Crassostrea gigas): From molecular to individual levels

Glyphosate-based herbicides are extensively used and can be measured in aquatic ecosystems, including coastal waters. The effect of glyphosate on non-target organisms is an issue of worldwide concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to glyphosate in juvenile oysters, Crassostrea gigas. Yearling oysters were exposed to three concentrations of glyphosate (0.1, 1 and 100μgL(-1)) for 56days. Various endpoints were studied, from the individual level (e.g., gametogenesis and tissue alterations) to the molecular level (mRNA quantification), including biochemical endpoints such as glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase activities and malondialdehyde content. No mortality and growth occurred during the experiment, and individual biomarkers revealed only slight effects. The levels of gene expression significantly increased in oysters exposed to the highest glyphosate concentration (GST and metallothioneins) or to all concentrations (multi-xenobiotic resistance). These results suggested an activation of defence mechanisms at the molecular level.

Proteomics in hematologic malignancies

Basic science research in hematology has been determining the functions of gene products using classical approaches that typically involve studying one or a few genes at a time. Proteomics, defined as the study of protein properties on a large scale, provides tools to globally analyze malignant hematologic cells. A major challenge in cancer therapy is the identification of drugs that kill tumor cells while preserving normal cells. Differential display via proteomics enables analysis of direct as well as side-effects of drugs at a molecular level. Proteomics also allows a better understanding of cell signaling pathways involved during apoptosis in hematologic cells. Storing the information in a 2D electrophoresis database enhances the efficiency of proteome research on malignant cells. Finally, the work needed to be carried out on proteomic analysis prior to routine clinical adoption is discussed, and the necessity for multi-institutional collaborations is emphasized.

The toxicity of cadmium to three aquatic organisms (Photobacterium phosphoreum, Daphnia magna and Carassius auratus) under different pH levels

This study investigated the effect of pH on cadmium toxicity to three aquatic organisms: Photobacterium phosphoreum, Daphnia magna and Carassius auratus. The acute toxicity of Cd(2+) to P. phosphoreum and D. magna at five pH values (5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0) was assessed by calculating EC50 values. We determined that Cd(2+) was least toxic under acidic conditions, and D. magna was more sensitive to the toxicity of Cd than P. phosphoreum. To evaluate Cd(2+)-induced hepatic oxidative stress in C. auratus at three pH levels (5.0, 7.25, 9.0), the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase), the level of glutathione and the malondialdehyde content in the liver were measured. Oxidative damage was observed after 7d Cd exposure at pH 9.0. An important finding of the current research was that Cd(2+) was generally more toxic to the three test organisms in alkaline environments than in acidic environments.

Biochemical responses and DNA damage in red sea bream from coastal Fujian Province, China

Relationships between measures of oxidative stress and adaptive antioxidant defenses were studied in red sea bream (Pagrus major, RSB) caged at eight locations along the Fujian coast, China. Oxidative damage in tissues was investigated by measuring concentrations of protein carbonyl (CP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), acetyl cholinesterase activity (AChE), concentration of thiol groups and activities of enzymes associated with antioxidant defense. Magnitudes of antioxidant defense parameters were significantly, positively correlated with oxidative stress. Significantly greater ROS, LPO and CP content was observed in most tissues of RSB caged at three locations relative to those at the other locations. RSB caged at one location, Meizhou, exhibited significantly more DNA damage than did RSB caged at other locations. AChE activities in liver, kidney and muscle were statistically different among locations. Multivariate analyses were used to categorize the environmental quality of different locations. The battery of measures of oxidative stress proved to be a useful integrator of oxidative stresses that could be compared among locations.

Short-term mercury exposure affecting the development and antioxidant biomarkers of Japanese flounder embryos and larvae

This study investigated the acute and sub-lethal toxicities of waterborne mercuric chloride to Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) embryos and larvae. Acute toxicity tests indicated that the 48-h LC(50) values of mercury to the embryos and larvae were 48.1 (32.8-63.6) and 99.4 (72.9-147.0) μg L(-1), respectively. Mercury could cause low hatching success, delayed hatching process, reduced growth at concentrations ≥20 μg L(-1), and induce reduced survival and higher morphological malformations at concentrations ≥40 μg L(-1) in the embryos and larvae. In sub-lethal toxicity test, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the larvae were significantly increased, while glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was decreased by 10 days of 0-10 μg Hg(2+)L(-1) exposure. These findings suggested that the hatching, survival, growth and antioxidant biomarkers of the flounder were sensitive to the highest mercury concentrations and could thereby serve as potential biomarkers for evaluating mercury contamination in the aquatic environment.

Antioxidative responses and bioaccumulation in Japanese flounder larvae and juveniles under chronic mercury exposure

This study investigated the sub-lethal effects of waterborne mercury on growth, bioaccumulation and antioxidative responses of larvae and juveniles of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Fish were exposed to 0-10 microg Hg(2)(+)L(-1) solutions from embryonic to the juvenile stages for 80 days. Antioxidative responses to mercury exposure were studied in metamorphosing larvae (18 days post hatching, dph), settling larvae (33 dph) and juveniles (78 dph). Results showed that increasing mercury concentration led to increased mercury bioaccumulation and reduced flounder growth. Of the antioxidants investigated, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities at the three developmental stages were sensitive to mercury exposure and increased with increasing mercury concentration. Glutathione (GSH) content was elevated in metamorphosing larvae, but decreased in juveniles as mercury concentration increased. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity did not significantly vary with mercury concentration in either larvae or juveniles. Mercury exposure did not affect malondialdehyde (MDA) content of larvae, but significantly increased MDA content of juveniles. Results suggest that flounder larvae and juveniles have the potential to manipulate the levels of antioxidants such as SOD, CAT and GSH, which protect flounder from oxidative stress induced by mercury exposure. These antioxidants could serve as biomarkers of mercury contamination in the aquatic environment.

Can thiol compounds be used as biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem contamination by cadmium?

Due to anthropogenic activities, heavy metals still represent a threat for various trophic levels. If aquatic animals are exposed to heavy metals we can obviously observe considerable toxicity. It is well known that an organism affected by cadmium (Cd) synthesize low molecular mass thiol compounds rich in cysteine (Cys), such as metallothioneins (MT) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The aim of this study was to summarize the effect of Cd on level of thiol compounds in aquatic organisms, and evaluate that the concentrations of thiol compounds are effective indicators of Cd water pollution and explain their potential use in biomonitoring applications.

Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity in flounder collected from contaminated and reference sites along the Polish coast

The aim of the present study was to examine the activity of hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) in flounder, Platichthys flesus, as a potential biomarker of exposure to xenobiotics present in the environment. The fish were collected along known pollution gradients and from areas regarded relatively free of anthropogenic input. GST was measured spectrophotometrically in each sampled specimen of flounder. The databases from the studies performed by two research institutes were compiled, and generalized linear models were used to analyze the dependence of the enzyme activity on the time and area of sampling and on selected biological parameters of the fish. Fish sex, sampling area, year, month, water temperature, and somatic indices (gonado-somatic index, hepato-somatic index) were significant in the model of GST activity. The three annual datasets showed that the biomarker activities exhibited in the Gulf of Gdansk were significantly different from those measured in the areas off the coast.

Biomarkers of contaminant exposure: results of a field study with flounder (Platichthys flesus) from the southern Baltic Sea

The results of the present study are based on enzyme biomarker measurements in flounder (Platichthys flesus), a flatfish species that is widely distributed in Baltic coastal waters. The fish were collected from known pollution gradients and from reference areas regarded as relatively free of anthropogenic input. Muscular cholinesterases (ChEs), hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), and hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities were measured in each sampled specimen of flounder. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to analyze the dependence of the enzyme activity on sampling year and area as well as on the biological parameters of the fish. Statistically significant differences in the activities of the measured biomarkers were observed between reference and contaminated sites. ChEs and GST activities differed with gender. The results of this study suggest that the location and year of sampling have a significant impact on the activity of all the measured biomarkers.

Pollution correlated modifications of liver antioxidant systems and histopathology of fish (Cyprinidae) living in Seyhan Dam Lake, Turkey

Specimen of freshwater fish (Cyprinidae) was collected from polluted and clean areas in dam Lake of Seyhan. Ten (n=10) fish were taken from each site. Liver preparations of fish from the two sources were comparatively assayed for glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). All systems were significantly (p<0.1) affected at the polluted site. The microscopic examination of the liver tissues of the fish living in the polluted area showed mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, cloudy degenerations, congestions and also micro- and macrovesicular fatty degenerations. These results provide evidence that both biochemical parameters and histopathological observations can be assumed as sensitive indicators of fish liver metabolism for polluted areas.

Enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants as an adaptation to phagocyte-induced damage in Anguilla anguilla L. following in situ harbor water exposure

Anguilla anguilla L. were caged for 8 and 48 h in harbor water of Aveiro Lagoon, Portugal. Respiratory burst activity (RBA) of peritoneal, head kidney, and gill phagocytes was measured. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was estimated in gill, kidney, and liver. Liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, cytochrome P450 (Cyt P450) content, and bile metabolites were assayed. Various antioxidant enzymes, viz., glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase and nonenzymatic antioxidant, viz., total reduced glutathione were also studied. Harbor water xenobiotics induced a significant RBA increase in gill after 8 h; whereas in peritoneum and head kidney it increased after 48 h exposure. These responses were adversely associated with tissue-specific peroxidative damage since significant LPO increase was observed in gill (8 and 48 h), kidney (48 h), and liver (48 h). The tissue most affected was gill. Moreover, liver EROD activity, Cyt P450 content and bile metabolites remain unaltered after 8 h; in contrast, 48 h exposure showed significant EROD activity decrease and pyrene-type bile metabolites increase. Decreased EROD activity may be associated with concomitant liver damage, as increased LPO was observed after 48 h. Furthermore, the tissue-specific damage corresponded to the differences in the antioxidant potentials of the tissues, since the initial exposure period caused a significant increase in liver antioxidant activities, whereas gill and kidney showed a significant decrease, demonstrating that liver is highly adaptive to oxidative damage. However, at 48 h exposure gill, kidney, and liver showed a suppressive antioxidant effect, probably due to PAHs, since a significant induction at PAH-type bile metabolites has been seen. Our results demonstrate that phagocyte activation and associated peroxidative damage are concomitantly corroborated with enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity differences. In addition, hepatic antioxidant induction after short-term exposure may serve as a potent biomarker for water pollutants in fish.

Thermal and metabolic factors affecting bioaccumulation of triazine herbicides by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The bioaccumulation of the triazine herbicides terbutryn and terbuthylazine in rainbow trout was investigated at water temperatures of 4 degrees C, 10 degrees C, and 17 degrees C. The synergetic effect of water temperature and herbicide on fish liver detoxification metabolism was also studied by measuring liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) activities. The bioaccumulation of terbutryn increased significantly with increasing water temperature. However, temperature seemed to have no effect on the bioaccumulation of terbuthylazine. Both chemicals decreased the measured enzyme activities. Also, temperature effects were significant. In all tests the highest liver EROD activities were measured in fish exposed to a water temperature of 4 degrees C, and the activities decreased with increasing water temperature. The thermal effects on fish liver UDPGT activity differed between the herbicides. The highest activities at a water temperature of 4 degrees C were measured in fish exposed to terbutryn, whereas fish exposed to terbuthylazine had the highest liver UDPGT activities at 17 degrees C. Measuring liver detoxification metabolism together with bioaccumulation increases the understanding of bioaccumulation of chemicals in different environmental conditions.

Antioxidant responses and bioaccumulation in Ictalurus melas under mercury exposure

Laboratory experiment was carried out to determine mercury accumulation in tissues (gills, kidneys, liver, and muscle) and biochemical responses in the liver of freshwater teleost Ictalurus melas. Catfish were subjected to different concentrations of Hg(2+) (35, 70, and 140 microg/L) for 10 days. The chemical analyses showed higher mercury concentrations for all treatments in gills and kidneys followed by liver and muscle. At the lowest mercury concentration a decrease in glutathione (GSH) content and an increase of GSH peroxidase Se-dependent and glyoxalase II enzymes were observed. An increasing trend was observed also for GSH-S-transferase and glyoxalase I, while GSH peroxidase Se-independent enzyme and GSH reductase showed no significant variation in activities. The increase in the enzymes activities of catfish, involved in the inactivation of reactive molecules formed during oxidative stress, could provide an additional protection against the oxidative damage induced by mercury.

Induction of hepatic antioxidants in freshwater catfish (Channa punctatus Bloch) is a biomarker of paper mill effluent exposure

Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants serve as an important biological defense against environmental oxidative stress. Information on antioxidant defense in fish is meager despite that fish are constantly exposed to a myriad of environmental stress including the oxidants. This study, therefore, assesses the activities of antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase and the non-enzymatic antioxidants viz., glutathione and metallothionein in various tissues of freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch), in response to short-term and long-term exposures to paper mill effluent. The fish were exposed to the effluent at a concentration of 1.0% (v/v) for 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. The exposure caused a time-dependent increase in glutathione level (P < 0.001), activities of glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), glutathione S-transferase (P < 0.001) and a marginal initial decrease in catalase activity in the liver (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001). Metallothionein was induced in liver after 60 days of exposure. Two isoforms of metallothionein were detected. Catalase activity also increased 60 days afterwards. Antioxidant pattern was different in gill and kidney showing that liver was more resistant to oxidative damage as compared to gills and kidney. Our results demonstrate a pollutant-induced adaptive response in fish. In addition, levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic tissue antioxidants may serve as surrogate markers of exposure to oxidant pollutants in fish.

Effects of buthionine sulfoximine and diethyl maleate on glutathione turnover in the channel catfish

Despite the growing use of fish in toxicological studies, little is known regarding glutathione (GSH) metabolism and turnover in these aquatic species. Therefore, we examined GSH metabolism in the liver and gills of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a commonly employed aquatic toxicological model. Treatment of channel catfish with L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO, 400 or 1000 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, did not deplete hepatic GSH in channel catfish. In addition, hepatic GSH concentrations did not fluctuate in catfish starved for 3 days, indicating relatively slow turnover of hepatic GSH. However, hepatic GSH concentrations were reduced significantly (P less than 0.05) after 7 days of starvation. Administration of the thiol alkylating agent diethyl maleate (DEM, 0.6 mL/kg, i.p.) resulted in depletion of 85% of hepatic GSH at 6 hr post-DEM, with complete GSH recovery observed at 24 hr post-DEM. Co-administration of BSO and DEM (1000 mg/kg, 0.6 mL/kg, respectively) substantially depleted gill GSH and eliminated detectable liver GSH. Following BSO/DEM, GSH recovery in hepatic mitochondria occurred more rapidly than did liver cytosolic GSH. gamma-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) activities were comparable in the 10,000 g supernatants of catfish liver and gills (204 +/- 21 and 268 +/- 20 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively) whereas gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity was not detected in the 600 g post-nuclear fraction of either liver or gills. In conclusion, i.p. administration of DEM was an effective means for achieving short-term hepatic GSH depletion in channel catfish, whereas co-administration of BSO and DEM elicited prolonged and extensive hepatic GSH depletion in this species. Like rodents, channel catfish maintained physiologically distinct hepatic mitochondrial and cytosolic GSH pools, and also regulated hepatic GSH levels by in situ hepatic GSH biosynthesis. However, unlike rodents, there was no evidence for a labile hepatic cytosolic GSH pool in channel catfish. These similarities and differences need to be considered when designing toxicological studies involving the GSH pathway in channel catfish and possibly other fish species.

Glutathione S-transferase in intestine, liver and hepatic lesions of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) from a creosote-contaminated environment

Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GSH transferase) activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was elevated approximately three to four-fold in intestine and liver of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) collected from a creosote-contaminated site in the Elizabeth River, Virginia. Intestinal GSH transferase activity at the most heavily contaminated site, at a moderately contaminated site and at a relatively clean site averaged 3.64, 2.83 and 1.11µmoles/min/mg respectively, while values for liver at these sites averaged 2.84, 1.75 and 0.93µmoles/min/mg. In addition, densitometric tracings of sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels of intestine and liver cytosol revealed a similar trend in the staining intensity of a 25.8 kD protein band, which lies within the molecular weight range of GSH transferase subunits. Activity in putative preneoplastic and neoplastic hepatic lesions of fish collected from the creosote-contaminated site was not significantly different from that of adjacent normal tissue. In the laboratory, dietary betanaphthoflavone (ßNF) treatment resulted in a three-fold increase in intestinal GSH transferase. Hepatic GSH transferase activity in the same fish was not affected by dietary ßNF although hepatic monooxygenase activity, measured as ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), was. The results of this study indicate a response of the intestinal detoxification system to environmental contaminants and supports previous studies on the importance of intestinal metabolism of foreign compounds. Further, our results indicate the trend towards elevated GSH transferase in liver of feral fish could not be attributed to a cancerous disease state in these fish but indicates chemical induction in this organ as well.

The glutathione S-transferases of fish

Substantial soluble glutathione S-transferase activity and millimolar reduced glutathione (GSH) are present in most tissues of both teleosts and elasmobranchs. The hepatic enzymes of fish conjugate a range of electrophilic substrates with GSH, although their specificities are less broad than those of the transferases in rodent liver. There is no good evidence that fish transferases have ligandin-like activity or a 'suicide' function. All fish livers tested have several transferase isoenzymes. They are dimers of subunits whose Mrs are about 25 kDa and which may have different catalytic properties. In some species transferase activity is induced by agents such as phenols or 3-methylcholanthrene. Glutathione S-transferases are important detoxication enzymes in fish.

Anionic and neutral glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in the freshwater worm Tubifex tubifex (O.F.M.)

The anionic and the neutral glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes from the freshwater worm Tubifex tubifex (O.F.M.) were separated in one step by chromatofocusing on a Polybuffer exchanger 94 column, eluted with Polybuffer 74. Their pI values ranged between 4.12 and 6.98, and their molecular weight between 30 000 and 38 400. The apparent Km values towards glutathione and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were also determined. The high number of non-cationic GST isoenzymes is unusual. Tubifex worms seems well equipped for attacking environmental pollutants.

Modulation of substrate-specific glutathione S-transferase activity in Daphnia magna with concomitant effects on toxicity tolerance

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was measured in Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia reticulata using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (EA) as conjugation substrates. Levels of GST activity were comparable between species with CDNB; however, D. magna had nearly twice the GST activity with EA as compared to C. reticulata. GST activity with CDNB was elevated from exposure of daphnids to either CDNB or sodium pentachlorophenate (PCP), but not from exposure to EA. GST activity with EA could not be modulated from exposure to CDNB or EA. GST activity towards CDNB and EA was biochemically separated into different protein fractions suggesting the existence of two distinct isozymes. Preexposure of daphnids to CDNB or PCP increased the organisms' tolerance to the toxic effects of PCP, but not CDNB.