International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2014, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part C
Effects of mercury on the activities of antioxidant defences in intestinal macrophages of fresh water teleost Channa punctatus (Bloch 1793)
Author(s): Moriom Begam, Mahuya Sengupta
Abstract: The present study aims to analyse the oxidative stress responses induced by sub-lethal concentrations of mercury and their effect on antioxidant defences in the intestinal macrophages of fresh water teleost Channa punctatus (Bloch 1793). The release of pollutants, especially heavy metals, into the aquatic environment is known to cause detrimental effects to the aquatic environment and to the organisms living therein as well as humans by entering the food chain. In the present study, samples of C. punctatus (Bloch 1793) were exposed to a sub-lethal concentration of mercury (0.3mg/L). After 4 days and 7 days of exposure, in the treated group, induction of oxidative stress in the intestine was evident from increased respiratory burst activity and lipid peroxidation levels. There were significant ultrastructural changes like fragmented epithelium, lesions in mucosal foldings, disoriented microvilli as evident from transmission electron micrographs. The antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) showed changes in a time dependent pattern, suggesting the use of these antioxidants as potential biomarkers of toxicity associated with exposure of freshwater fish to contaminants.
Pages: 172-179 | 1420 Views 160 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Moriom Begam, Mahuya Sengupta. Effects of mercury on the activities of antioxidant defences in intestinal macrophages of fresh water teleost Channa punctatus (Bloch 1793). Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2014;2(1):172-179.