3-Methylcholanthrene does induce mixed function oxidase activity in hepatopancreas of spiny crab Maja crispata

The role of metabolism in the toxicity of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and its degradation products to the aquatic amphipod Hyalella azteca

Toxicological data on the effects of the explosive, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and its degradation products suggests an unpredictable toxicological response in aquatic organisms. Several studies suggest TNT becomes more toxic as it degrades while others suggest TNT becomes less toxic. This study focused on the toxicity of TNT and several degradation products as well as the role of oxidative metabolism in the toxicity of TNT. The aquatic invertebrate Hyalella azteca was used to evaluate the toxicity of TNT and four of its degradation products. The most reduced degradation product, 2,4-diamino, 6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DANT) was the most toxic to H. azteca. However, 2,4-DANT was only a minor metabolite in H. azteca. The influence of metabolism on the toxicokinetics of TNT was assessed indirectly through the use of a CYP450 inducer and inhibitor. Treatment of organisms with beta-napthoflavone (BNF), a CYP450 inducer, increased the toxicity of TNT and increased the rate of elimination and metabolism of TNT. Similar to BNF, organisms treated with clotrimazole (CTZ), a CYP450 inhibitor, resulted in increased toxicity and TNT metabolism. It is likely the ability to metabolize or bioactivate TNT to a more reactive intermediate plays a significant role in the sensitivity of organisms to TNT.

Cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase system mediated hydrocarbon metabolism and antioxidant enzyme responses in prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii

We investigated the alteration of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in response to oil effluent in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii. The prawns were exposed to two sublethal (10% [0.91 ppt] and 25% [2.3 ppt] of 5-day median lethal concentration) concentrations of oil. After 30 days, treated prawns were transferred into untreated freshwater and depuration was followed for another 30 days. At 7-day intervals, hydrocarbons and detoxifying enzymes were analysed in the hepatopancreas. Accumulation of hydrocarbon in the tissues gradually increased when exposed to sublethal concentration of oil effluent associated with enhanced levels of cytochrome P450, NADPH cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome b(5). During depuration, the levels of accumulated hydrocarbons decreased due to the induction of these detoxifying enzymes. Oil derived hydrocarbon mediated oxyradical production would have occurred in M. malcolmsonii. This was confirmed by elevated levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Thus, cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in oil-exposed prawns demonstrate a well-established detoxifying mechanism in M. malcolmsonii.