Effect of Benzo(a)pyrene on Hepatic Biotransformation Activities: Time Course of Induction in Aquaculture European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Acute effects of cadmium on liver phase I and phase II enzymes and metallothionein accumulation on sea bream Sparus aurata

This research was designed to study Sparus aurata (sea bream) biotransformation and detoxification responses to acute exposure to cadmium (Cd). Sexually immature gilthead sea bream were treated by intraperitoneal injection of Cd chloride (200 microg kg(-1)) for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. Cd accumulation was quantified in sea bream liver by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy after the various exposure periods. The following biological responses were measured: (1) ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity as phase I biotransformation parameter, (2) liver glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity as a phase II conjugation enzyme and metallothionein (MT) content as specific response to Cd contamination. Cd bioaccumulation in the liver resulted in an increasing uptake up to 10.3 microg g(-1) wet weight after 48 h of exposure. EROD showed a significant activation only after 6 h exposure and a return to control levels after 12 h. GST revealed significant activation starting from 12 h exposure. MT accumulation in liver showed the same behavior as GST activation.

Effects of benzo(k)fluoranthene exposure on the biomarkers of scallop Chlamys farreri

Scallops (Chlamys ferrari) were cultured for 30 days in seawater containing benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) at 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0 microg/L. No effects were noted on 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in digestive gland at low concentrations (0.5 and 1 microg/L) of BkF, but BkF increased the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity. At 10 microg/L BkF increased EROD activity significantly, and depressed GST activity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in digestive gland increased significantly in 0.5 and 1 microg/L BkF. In 10 microg/L concentrations of BkF, the activity of three antioxidant enzymes increased first and reached a peak after a few days, before tapering off towards the end of the 30 day exposure. In high concentrations of BkF, activity of three antioxidant enzymes in gill showed an early peak (12 h), before dropping off. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels increased along with sampling times, and there were time- and concentration-effects between LPO levels and BkF. The responses of the gills and the digestive gland were not always parallel which can be explained by differences in the bioavailability of the toxicant. The performance of each biomarker is assessed in the context of the role and advantages of selecting a battery of biomarkers for detecting contamination problems. The use of C. ferrari as a sentinel species for biomonitoring potential toxic effects in situ is discussed as well as mechanisms of BKF toxicity and alexipharmic strategies of C. ferrari.

The effects of 3-methylcholanthrene on macrophage respiratory burst and biotransformation activities in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The sensitivity of phagocytic cell function as a bioindicator of pollution stress by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was evaluated in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L). The time course response of the head-kidney macrophage respiratory burst was measured 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days after intraperitoneal injection of a prototypical Cyp 1A inducer (3-methylcholanthrene). This immune activity was compared to the rate of induction of total cytochrome P450, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase activity (GST) in the liver and head-kidney. 3-methylcholanthrene (40 mg kg(-1)) caused a rapid increase in the macrophage respiratory burst. This response was maximal at day 3 post exposure and coincided with maximum induction of cytochrome P450 and EROD activity in liver and head-kidney. Moreover, alpha-naphtoflavone, which functions as both an Ah receptor antagonist and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 1A activity, reversed the 3-methylcholanthrene induction of immune and enzymatic parameters measured, suggesting metabolic processes. Taken together these results suggest that the induction of macrophage oxidative function may be an equally sensitive marker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon as the induction of biotransformation activities and confirm that responses mediated by the Ah receptor are similar, if not identical, to those of mammals.

Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in fish as a biomarker of chemical exposure

This review compiles and evaluates existing scientific information on the use, limitations, and procedural considerations for EROD activity (a catalytic measurement of cytochrome P4501A induction) as a biomarker in fish. A multitude of chemicals induce EROD activity in a variety of fish species, the most potent inducers being structural analogs of 2,3,7,8-tetracholordibenzo-p-dioxin. Although certain chemicals may inhibit EROD induction/activity, this interference is generally not a drawback to the use of EROD induction as a biomarker. The various methods of EROD analysis currently in use yield comparable results, particularly when data are expressed as relative rates of EROD activity. EROD induction in fish is well characterized, the most important modifying factors being fish species, reproductive status and age, all of which can be controlled through proper study design. Good candidate species for biomonitoring should have a wide range between basal and induced EROD activity (e.g., common carp, channel catfish, and mummichog). EROD activity has proven value as a biomarker in a number of field investigations of bleached kraft mill and industrial effluents, contaminated sediments, and chemical spills. Research on mechanisms of CYP1A-induced toxicity suggests that EROD activity may not only indicate chemical exposure, but also may also precede effects at various levels of biological organization. A current research need is the development of chemical exposure-response relationships for EROD activity in fish. In addition, routine reporting in the literature of EROD activity in standard positive and negative control material will enhance confidence in comparing results from different studies using this biomarker.

Molecular cloning of a CYP1A cDNA from the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax

A cDNA encoding for cytochrome P450 1A has been cloned in the marine teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax. This fish, common in the Mediterranean, was chosen since it is considered a good sentinel species. Moreover, biomarkers of exposure to organic contaminants (such as EROD) are often measured in this species and make it possible to evaluate the quality of waters. For cloning purposes, RNAs were extracted from the liver of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-treated animals and used as template in degenerate RT-PCR. The cDNA product was cloned and used for the design of highly stringent primers that were utilized in Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) PCR. The cloned cDNA hybridizes with a 2.7 kb mRNA which is induced by treatment of the fish with BaP, a classical CYP1A inducer. The closest sequences found in data banks belong to fish CYP1A.