纳米TiO_2对菲律宾蛤仔消化腺中Cd的蓄积与生化响应的影响

随着纳米科技的发展及纳米颗粒在纺织、食品、太阳能及水处理等各行业的应用,进入水生环境的纳米颗粒对其中痕量金属的生物地球化学循环及其生物学效应的影响受到关注。本文研究了水环境中分布最广泛的纳米二氧化钛(n-TiO_2)对镉(100μg·L~(-1))在海洋双壳类菲律宾蛤仔体内生物利用性及生物效应的影响,通过14 d的暴露实验,在环境真实浓度下研究Cd在蛤仔体内的蓄积量及毒性。暴露期间测定了蛤仔消化腺中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)、丙二醛(MDA)和金属硫蛋白(MT)等生物标志物的活性或含量,同时分析了消化腺中Cd的蓄积。暴露3 d后,Cd处理组及n-TiO_2+Cd处理组均观测到蛤仔消化腺内Cd含量显著升高(p0.05),并随时间延长而不断升高。各处理组SOD活性在整个暴露周期内与同期对照组相比均无显著差异。CAT(3 d)和GST(7、14 d)活性仅在Cd处理组出现显著升高(p0.05)。Cd处理组在暴露结束时出现MDA含量的显著增加;n-TiO_2单独及联合处理组MDA含量显著上升出现在7 d后,至暴露结束时与对照组无显著差异。随暴露时间的延长,只有Cd处理组中蛤仔消化腺MT的含量呈现显著升高。结果表明,相同浓度条件下,Cd对蛤仔的亚致死毒性高于n-TiO_2,而n-TiO_2能够通过抑制Cd的生物积累而减轻后者对蛤仔的毒性,这种影响与n-TiO_2对Cd的吸附作用有关。     

微塑料和芘对菲律宾蛤仔的毒性效应研究

海洋环境中微塑料和多环芳烃(PAHs)污染日益严重,以滤食动物菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)为研究对象,探讨了聚苯乙烯微塑料和芘单一及联合暴露对菲律宾蛤仔的毒性效应.分别采用两个聚苯乙烯微塑料粒径(0.3μm和6μm,20 μg/L)和两个芘浓度水平(10 μg/L和100μg/L)单独和联合暴露21d,测定其对菲律宾蛤仔生理活动(肥满度和摄食率)、免疫防御、氧化应激等相关生物标志物的影响.研究结果表明,除芘单一暴露组外,其余暴露组菲律宾蛤仔的摄食率与对照组相比都显著降低,但这两种污染物对菲律宾蛤仔的肥满度没有显著影响.微塑料和芘暴露均导致菲律宾蛤仔免疫功能受损,表现为血细胞凋亡率增加和吞噬活性被抑制;其中,在小粒径微塑料和高浓度芘存在的暴露组血细胞凋亡率均显著高于对照组,并且二者联合暴露组血细胞凋亡率最高;除大粒径微塑料暴露组外,各暴露组血细胞吞噬活性均显著低于对照组.菲律宾蛤仔抗氧化酶系统不能及时清除体内产生的自由基,导致机体出现氧化损伤现象,表现为抗氧化酶活性变化和丙二醛(MDA)含量升高.微塑料和芘联合暴露导致鳃组织谷胱甘肽疏基转移酶(GST)活性显著升高,消化腺组织过氧化氡酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著降低.综合生物标志物指数(IBR)结果显示,联合暴露对菲律宾蛤仔造成的胁迫压力高于单一暴露组.     

菲律宾蛤仔对三价和五价无机砷的富集转化规律

砷是具有类金属特性的污染物,不同赋存形态的砷毒性差异极大,海洋贝类由于其生活习性易于富集高浓度的砷,本研究以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)为对象,探讨其在亚砷酸盐(arsenite,AsⅢ)和砷酸盐(arsenate,AsⅤ)暴露14天后的生物富集和转化规律。结果表明,菲律宾蛤仔对砷的积累量随海水中无机砷浓度的升高而逐渐增加。但菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织对砷的生物利用度很低,10μg/L暴露组菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织对砷的积累量与对照组相比无显著差异。菲律宾蛤仔对三价砷的生物利用度高于五价砷,且砷更易于在菲律宾蛤仔肝胰腺中积累。菲律宾蛤仔组织中无机砷转化过程主要包括As(Ⅲ)氧化,As(Ⅴ)还原和甲基转化。在对照组和各暴露组有机砷砷甜菜碱(As B)和二甲基胂酸(dimethylarsinic acid,DMA)是主要赋存形态,一甲基胂酸(monomethylarsonic acid,MMA)在100μg/LAs(Ⅴ)暴露处理后含量显著下降,表明在无机砷的限速转化反应中MMA可以较快地代谢或转化为其他赋存形态。无机砷在菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织中主要转化为DMA,肝胰腺中主要转化为As B。以上研究结果为阐明菲律宾蛤仔的生物富集和转化机制提供了重要依据,同时也可为贝类安全养殖和食用提供一定理论依据。     

pH胁迫对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)耗氧率、排氨率、免疫和抗氧化酶活性以及组织形态的影响

随着人类工业迅速发展, CO2大量排放,引起了海洋的酸化效应,不仅导致了全球气候变暖,也严重危害了海洋生物的生态健康。以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)为研究对象,研究pH变化对菲律宾蛤仔耗氧率、排氨率、鳃组织结构以及鳃和内脏团的免疫、抗氧化酶活性的影响。将菲律宾蛤仔置于酸化海水(pH 6.4、7.1和7.7)中,以自然海水(pH 8.1)为对照。结果表明:耗氧率和排氨率随着pH的升高或降低而降低,在pH=8时达到最大值; 6.4酸化组蛤仔鳃组织结构损伤严重,鳃丝间距扩大,纤毛黏合;鳃组织碱性磷酸酶(AKP)第42天所有酸化组活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),所有酸化组溶菌酶(LZM)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性显著低于对照组(P<0.05), 7.7酸化组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著高于对照组(P<0.05),所有酸化组丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05);内脏团7.1和7.7酸化组LZM活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),...     

三种有机紫外吸收剂对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)鳃组织抗氧化能力和细胞凋亡相关基因表达的影响

二苯甲酮-3 (BP-3)、4-甲基苄亚基樟脑(4-MBC)和4-甲氧基肉桂酸-2-乙基己酯(EHMC)是三种常用的有机紫外吸收剂, 在水环境中被频繁检出, 对水生生态系统安全构成潜在威胁。为探究三种有机紫外吸收剂对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)鳃组织抗氧化响应和相关细胞凋亡基因的影响, 将蛤仔分别暴露于环境相关浓度的三种紫外吸收剂溶液中, 检测鳃组织抗氧化酶活性和细胞凋亡相关基因转录水平, 并通过第二代整合生物标志物响应法(IBRv2)对三种紫外吸收剂的生物毒性进行比较分析。结果显示, 三种紫外吸收剂短期暴露会诱导抗氧化响应提高抗氧化能力, 而长期高浓度暴露会导致抗氧化能力的降低。BP-3、4-MBC和EHMC可能通过启动线粒体途径和fas介导的死亡受体途径诱导菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织产生细胞凋亡。通过IBRv2分析发现, 在环境常见浓度1 μg/L的暴露水平下, 短期(1 d, 7 d)暴露时, BP-3对菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织表现出的综合毒性效应最强, 而随着暴露时间的延长(28 d), 三种紫外吸收剂表现出的综合毒性效应相近。研究结果为水环境中有机紫外吸收剂的生态风险评估提供了参考数据。     

柴油水溶性成分胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔溶酶体生物标志物的应答

溶酶体生物标志物是环境污染引起生物效应的早期预警信号。石油类污染物对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)溶酶体完整性的影响尚未研究。本研究以0号柴油的水溶性成分(WSF)为污染物,以养殖的菲律宾蛤仔为受试生物,测试3种溶酶体生物标志物对柴油WSF胁迫应答的剂量-效应关系和时间-效应关系。采用室内模拟暴露实验,将菲律宾蛤仔置于添加不同浓度(0.1~1.6 mg/L)柴油WSF的海水中5 d,结果显示:不同浓度的暴露组血细胞溶酶体中性红保留时间(NRRT)值比对照组低23.1%~48.5%(p<0.05或p<0.01)。而各浓度暴露组的鳃和内脏团酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性均与对照组无显著差异。选取柴油WSF为0.8 mg/L进行污染的时间-效应实验,于第0、1、3、7、11天取样测定,结果显示:暴露组NRRT值始终低于对照组,且在第1、3天差异显著(p<0.05)。暴露组鳃和内脏团ACP活性都是先逐步升高到第7天达最大值后迅速下降,鳃ACP活性从第3天到第11天与对照组差异显著(p<0.01),内脏团ACP活性从第7天到第11天与对照组差异显著(p<0.05)。本研究未能获得基于N-乙酰-β-氨基己糖苷酶的组织化学染色反应上的溶酶体膜稳定性(LMS)应答。研究表明,菲律宾蛤仔血细胞NRRT和鳃ACP活性可作为海洋污染生物效应监测的潜在生物标志物。     

基于综合生物标志物响应评价苯并芘对脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)的毒性效应

苯并[a]芘(Ba P)是一类典型多环芳烃(PAHs)污染物。为了定量评价Ba P对脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)的毒性效应,采用水体暴露实验,研究了脊尾白虾肝胰脏、肌肉组织的5种生物标志物(EROD、GST、SOD、CAT、MDA)对Ba P暴露的响应,并应用综合生物标志物响应(IBR)定量评价了Ba P对肝胰脏、肌肉组织的毒性差异。结果显示:肝胰脏、肌肉组织的EROD、GST、SOD、CAT活性整体呈现诱导-抑制的规律性变化,除了0.05μg/L实验组CAT外,其余各实验组肝胰脏组织生物标志物活性在实验结束时均显著高于对照组(P0.05),除了0.45μg/L实验组EROD、CAT外,其余各浓度组肌肉组织生物标志物活性在实验结束时均与对照组无显著性差异(P0.05),MDA含量呈现持续上升的趋势,在实验结束时各实验组均显著高于对照组(P0.05);IBR值存在时间效应和剂量效应。研究结果表明,肝胰脏、肌肉组织对Ba P的暴露响应存在差异性,肝胰脏生物标志物综合应激活性高于肌肉组织。     

菲律宾蛤仔(Venerupis philippinarum)对重金属Hg~(2+)的富集及相关生物标记物的识别

以我国近海重要经济贝类菲律宾蛤仔(Venerupis philippinarum)为对象,探讨了不同加标浓度Hg2+(2.5、5、7.5、10μg/L)胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织的富集效应,测定了鳃和血细胞两个组织中过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx),细胞色素P450(CYP414A1),硫氧还蛋白(Trx)、金属硫蛋白(MT)、热休克蛋白(HSP70)以及溶菌酶(Lysozyme)8个基因的剂量和时序表达变化,筛选了指示汞污染的生物标记物。研究结果表明:蛤仔鳃组织对汞富集随时间延长和Hg2+浓度增加均呈现逐渐上升趋势,在10μg/L Hg2+剂量暴露48 h时达到(0.308±0.037)μg/g的最高富集量,为对照组的21倍(P0.01)。基因表达分析结果显示,鳃CYP414A1和GPx基因分别在24 h和48 h的2.5μg/L暴露组表达显著上调。鳃Lysozyme在24 h的7.5μg/L处理组中表达显著上调,鳃HSP70基因在48 h的7.5μg/L处理组中呈现显著下调趋势(P0.01)。鳃和血细胞中HSP70基因表达量在10μg/L处理组中均极显著高于对照组和其它处理组(P0.01)。鳃CYP414A1和GPx基因、鳃Lysozyme和鳃HSP70、鳃和血细胞HSP70的表达结果可分别作为指示不同浓度汞污染的生物标记物,其它基因的表达结果不符合生物标记物的筛选原则。研究结果表明组合型生物标记物可较有效地反映海洋环境汞污染状况,为利用生物标记物进行重金属Hg污染早期监测方法体系的建立提供了基础的研究资料。     

酚类污染物对菲律宾蛤仔抗氧化和解毒系统相关酶活性的影响

壬基酚、辛基酚、二氯酚和双酚A是水环境中普遍存在的酚类污染物,由于其内分泌干扰活性和致癌性近年来受到广泛的关注.本研究以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)为受试生物,研究4种典型酚类污染物暴露对其内脏组织和鳃组织中抗氧化酶包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及解毒酶谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)活性的影响.研究结果表明:壬基酚低浓度处理组(0.05～0.2 mg/L)3种酶活性无显著变化,高浓度处理组(0.4 mg/L),SOD、CAT和GST 3种酶活性均受到显著抑制,抑制率分别为56.6％,59.0％和35.5％.在实验浓度范围(0.05～0.4 mg/L)内,二氯酚能够显著抑制内脏组织CAT活性,双酚A能够显著抑制鳃组织GST活性.3种酶活性变化对于酚类污染物的响应呈现较好的规律性,因此可以作为生物标志物联合指示水体中的酚类污染.     

菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)金属硫蛋白基因克隆及Cd~(2+)胁迫下的表达分析

金属硫蛋白(Metallothionein,MT)是一类富含半胱氨酸的小分子蛋白质,参与机体重金属解毒和金属元素代谢等生理过程。本研究采用RACE技术,克隆获得了菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)金属硫蛋白(RpMT)的全长cDNA序列。RpMT的cDNA全长为570bp,编码75个氨基酸,包含15个MT所特有的Cys-Xn-Cys结构。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术,分析了两种壳色菲律宾蛤仔(白蛤和斑马蛤)RpMT基因在Cd2+暴露后的表达变化。结果发现:Cd2+急性和亚慢性暴露均可导致两种壳色蛤仔消化腺和鳃组织RpMT基因表达量的显著上调;暴露后两种壳色蛤仔鳃组织RpMT基因表达量的增加幅度均高于消化腺组织,且以白蛤鳃组织基因表达水平的上调幅度较高。上述结果表明,RpMT可能在菲律宾蛤仔抵御Cd2+胁迫过程中发挥了重要作用。     

台风过境对养殖三疣梭子蟹抗氧化系统及Na+,K+-ATP酶活性的影响

为了研究台风过境对养殖三疣梭子蟹的影响,于2015年7月采集“灿鸿”台风经过象山前后12 h内象山三疣梭子蟹养殖场样品,检测台风前后三疣梭子蟹中T-SOD、CAT、ACP、Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活性以及MDA、GSH含量的变化。结果显示:台风过后鳃中T-SOD酶活性升高极其显著(p<0.01);CAT酶活性显著升高(p<0.05);MDA和GSH含量则呈现增加趋势,但差异不显著(p>0.05)。肝胰腺中T-SOD酶活性呈现降低趋势,但差异不显著(p>0.05);CAT酶活性呈现升高趋势,差异不显著(p>0.05);MDA含量显著增加(p<0.05);GSH含量增加极其显著(p<0.01)。心脏中T-SOD、CAT酶活性和GSH含量呈现增加趋势而MDA含量呈现降低趋势且差异均不显著(p>0.05)。心脏和鳃中ACP酶活性呈现上升趋势,肝胰腺中ACP酶活性降低,但差异都不显著(p>0.05)。Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活性在鳃中极显著下降(p<0.01),在肝胰腺中酶活性极显著上升(p<0.01),在心脏中酶活性显著上升(p<0.05)。结果表明台风会造成三疣梭子蟹短期内应激反应,如若不尽快采取措施,后期会对三疣梭子蟹造成较大的损伤。     

A multi-biomarker approach to assess effects of Triclosan in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

The effects of 7 days’ exposure to differing Triclosan (TCS) concentrations (300, 600, and 900 ng/L) were investigated in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Vitellogenin (Vg)-like protein levels in haemolymph and digestive gland from males and females, gill acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in gills and digestive gland, and gill lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured. The highest TCS concentrations decreased significantly Vg levels in male haemolymph and digestive gland, whereas no significant variations were found in females. The highest TCS concentrations increased significantly SOD activity in gills, but decreased it in digestive gland. No changes in CAT activity were observed. In gills, TCS reduced significantly AChE activity, but it did not induce significant variations in LPO. Our study demonstrates that TCS alters biochemical parameters in R. philippinarum, even at environmentally realistic concentrations, and suggests differing modes of action of the contaminant, in clams at least.     

银鲳应对高温胁迫的生理响应及其相关基因表达研究

为探究银鲳(Pampus argenteus)应对高温胁迫的生理响应及其相关基因表达研究,本研究设置4个温度组:对照组26℃和实验组28、30、32℃.并对银鲳的肝、肾和鳃的组织结构、肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶的相对活性变化和丙二醛含量变化以及hsp70基因的相对表达量的变化进行了研究.结果显示:(1)随温度的...     

盐度胁迫对小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)抗氧化酶、非特异性免疫酶和Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的影响

为了研究不同盐度对小黄鱼生理的影响,以人工养殖的4月龄小黄鱼(体质量为(12.6 ±3.1)g)为实验对象,将在自然海水(对照组盐度为22.1)中养殖的小黄鱼转入到盐度为5(低盐组)和34.5(高盐组)的海水中进行急性盐度胁迫处理10 d,测定并分析肝脏中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活力以及鳃和肾脏中的Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的变化情况。结果显示,在急性盐度胁迫下,小黄鱼肝脏抗氧化酶(SOD和CAT)活力均上升,其中,低盐组的SOD和高盐组的CAT活力均显著高于对照组(p<0.05);在不同盐度条件下,AKP和ACP表现出相反的变化趋势,即AKP活力随着盐度上升不断增强,而ACP活力则逐渐降低;鳃中Na+/K+-ATP酶活力在低盐组最低,而肾脏中高盐组的活力显著高于对照组(p<0.05)。上述研究结果表明,小黄鱼幼鱼在盐度下降到5时仍可正常存活;不同盐度胁迫可导致小黄鱼肝脏中的非特异性免疫酶以及鳃和肾脏中的Na+/K+-ATP酶活性发生显著变化,表明小黄鱼在适应盐度变化过程中肝脏、鳃和肾脏均发挥着一定的调节作用。研究结果对小黄鱼在高盐或者咸淡水区域养殖提供了一定参考作用。     

大港原油对毛蚶部分抗氧化酶和代谢酶的影响研究

为研究港原油对毛蚶部分抗氧化酶和代谢酶的影响,设置0.01、0.1、1、3mg/L大港原油水溶液性成分(WSF),采用暴露法研究毛蚶天津群体的鳃、斧足中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)抗氧化酶等抗氧化酶及酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、钠/钾泵(Na^+/K^+ATPase)、钙泵(Ga²⁺/Mg²⁺ATPase)等代谢相关酶的活性变化,测定丙二醛(MDA)含量,采用整合生物标志物(Integratedbiomarkerresponse,IBR)进行分析。结果表明,毛蚶鳃和斧足中SOD、CAT、GPX表现出一定的剂量-效应关系, MDA含量呈先升高后降低的趋势, 3 mg/L组表现出MDA累积;ACP、AKP、Na^+/K^+ATPase、Ga²⁺/Mg²⁺ATPase表现出一定剂量-效应关系,酸性磷酸酶较碱性磷酸酶响应更迅速, Na^+/K^+ATPase较Ga²⁺/Mg²⁺ATPase更易受WSF影响;鳃中酶类活性受WSF影响更明显。鳃中SOD、GPX、MDA较斧足高,而CAT则相反。斧足、鳃组织RIB值呈现先下降后上升趋势,与WSF浓度及暴露时间存在剂量-效应关系和时间-效应关系,两组之间存在差异性,斧足累积RIB值高于鳃组织。     

Response of antioxidant systems to copper in the gills of the clam Ruditapes decussatus

Copper (Cu) is an essential element for biological systems, however, when present in excess, is toxic. Metallothioneins can play an important role in Cu homeostasis and detoxification. Moreover, Cu can catalyse the production of toxic hydroxyl radicals that cause lipid peroxidation but defence systems in the cells can limit the oxidative damage. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of three Cu concentrations (0.5, 2.5 and 25 microg l(-1)) on the response of antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), selenium-dependent glutathion peroxidase and total glutathion peroxidase), total proteins, metallothioneins (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in the gills of the clam, Ruditapes decussatus. The activity of antioxidant enzymes and total proteins, MT and MDA concentrations were measured in the gills of the clams after 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of Cu exposure. Results indicate that Cu only induces an imbalance in the oxygen metabolism during the first week of Cu exposure due to a decrease in mitochondrial SOD and CAT, selenium-dependent and total glutathion peroxidase activities. Cu also causes lipid peroxidation, measured by the MDA formation, that was Cu dependent. In the gills of clams exposed to 25 microg Cu/l, the excess of Cu triggers the induction of MT synthesis after 3 days of exposure.     

Glutathione-mediated chlorothalonil detoxification in channel catfish gills

Maintenance of the glutathione (GSH) pathway is critical in guarding against the toxic effects of a variety of pollutants. However, despite their importance as an initial line of defense against waterborne toxicants, little is known regarding the role of fish gills in GSH-mediated xenobiotic metabolism. In these studies, the role of channel catfish gills in the detoxification of 2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile (chlorothalonil), an electrophilic fungicide, was examined. Chlorothalonil was metabolized in vitro by gill cytosolic and microsomal glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Chlorothalonil metabolism by cytosolic fructions was reduced markedly when GSH was omitted from reaction mixtures. Microsomal metabolism of chlorothalonil did not occur in the absence of GSH and in the presence of an NADPH-regenerating system lacking GSH. Channel catfish exposed in vivo to chlorothalonil had increased gill GSH and cysteine concentrations after 72 h exposure, and increased gill gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) activity at 144 h of exposure. Our results show that the gills play an important role in the metabolism and detoxification of chlorothalonil in the channel catfish. Catfish can maintain elevated gill GSH concentrations in the presence of chlorothalonil by increasing gill cysteine concentrations.     

Response of antioxidant systems to copper in the gills of the clam Ruditapes decussatus

Copper (Cu) is an essential element for biological systems, however, when present in excess, is toxic. Metallothioneins can play an important role in Cu homeostasis and detoxification. Moreover, Cu can catalyse the production of toxic hydroxyl radicals that cause lipid peroxidation but defence systems in the cells can limit the oxidative damage. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of three Cu concentrations (0.5, 2.5 and 25 μg l⁻¹) on the response of antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), selenium-dependent glutathion peroxidase and total glutathion peroxidase), total proteins, metallothioneins (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in the gills of the clam, Ruditapes decussatus. The activity of antioxidant enzymes and total proteins, MT and MDA concentrations were measured in the gills of the clams after 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of Cu exposure. Results indicate that Cu only induces an imbalance in the oxygen metabolism during the first week of Cu exposure due to a decrease in mitochondrial SOD and CAT, selenium-dependent and total glutathion peroxidase activities. Cu also causes lipid peroxidation, measured by the MDA formation, that was Cu dependent. In the gills of clams exposed to 25 μg Cu/l, the excess of Cu triggers the induction of MT synthesis after 3 days of exposure.     

The correlation between bioaccumulation and pattern of stress-related genes expression of black sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthopagrus schlegeli</Emphasis>) by cadmium exposure

In order to correlate the expression of detoxifying enzyme genes and Cd accumulation in black sea bream, we analyzed four tissues (brain, gills, liver, and muscle) from black sea breams that were exposed to four different concentrations of Cd (0, 2, 13, and 25 mg/L) for various durations (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h). The highest level of Cd was accumulated in the liver, followed by the gills, brain, and muscle. The accumulation of Cd was significantly correlated with the duration of exposure and the concentration in brain, gill, and liver tissue, but not in muscle tissue, and the rate of accumulation increased with Cd concentration. The expression of metallothionein II (MT II) mRNA exhibited a similar pattern as Cd accumulation, especially in that the expression of MT II mRNA decreased in muscle tissue with increases in exposure duration. In contrast, the expression of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) mRNA was highest in the liver, followed by brain, muscle, and gill tissues, and in gills and muscle tissue of Cd-exposed fish, the expression of CYP1A mRNA fell below that of the control fish. Overall, the liver of black sea bream was the most sensitive to Cd exposure, and the expression of MT II mRNA was 200-fold greater than the control fish. These findings indicate that the detoxification mechanisms of black sea bream are influenced by both MT II and CYP1A and that the genes participate in the detoxification of different tissues.     

Temporal variation in the antioxidant defence system and lipid peroxidation in the gills and mantle of hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

Hydrothermal vent mussels are exposed continually to toxic compounds, including high metal concentrations and other substances like dissolved sulphide, methane and natural radioactivity. Fluctuations in these parameters appear to be common because of the characteristic instability of the hydrothermal environment. Temporal variation in the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total glutathione peroxidases (Total GPx), selenium dependent glutathione peroxidases (Se-GPx)), metallothioneins and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the gills and mantle of the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus from Menez–Gwen hydrothermal vent site was evaluated and related to the accumulated metal concentrations (Ag, Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn and Zn) in the tissues. Maximum antioxidant enzyme activities in the gills were detected in the beginning of summer, followed by a gradual decrease throughout the following months. One year after, the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities were similar to those reported one year before. LPO in this tissue exhibited a similar temporal variation trend. A different pattern of temporal variation in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in the mantle, with a gradual increase from summer to the end of autumn (November). LPO in the mantle exhibited an almost reverse trend of temporal variation to that of antioxidant enzyme activities in this tissue. Antioxidant defences in the gills of B. azoricus were significantly enhanced with increasing concentrations of Ag, Cu and Mn, while negative relationships between antioxidant enzymes and Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn concentrations in the mantle were observed, suggesting different pathways of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and that these tissues responded differently to the metal accumulation. However, temporal variation in biomarkers of defence and damage were in general similar to coastal bivalve species and can be associated with temporal variations of the physiological status due to reproduction. These variations might also be linked to the highly unstable nature of the hydrothermal environment.