Evaluation of acidity in late Permian outcrop coals and its association with endemic fluorosis in the border area of Yunnan,Guizhou, and Sichuan in China

The junction area of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces is the heaviest coal-burning endemic fluorosis zones in China. To better understand the pathogenicity of endemic fluorosis in this area, 87 coal samples from the late Permian outcrop or semi-outcrop coal seams were collected in eight counties of the junction area of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces. The total fluorine and sulfate content, etc. in the coal was determined using combustion-hydrolysis/fluoride-ion-selective electrode method and ion chromatography, respectively. The results show that the total fluorine concentrations in the samples ranged from 44 to 382 µg g^?1, with an average of 127 µg g^?1. The average pH of the coals is 5.03 (1.86–8.62), and the sulfate content varied from 249 to 64,706 µg g^?1 (average 7127 µg g^?1). In addition, the coals were medium- and high-sulfur coals, with sulfur mass fraction ranging from 0.08 to 13.41%. By heating the outcrop coals, HF release from the coal was verified quantitatively without exception, while simulated combustion directly confirmed the release of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). The acid in coal may be in the form of acidic sulfate (\({\text{HSO}}_{4}^{ - }\)/H₂SO₄) because of a positive relationship between pH and \(p\left( {{\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } } \right)\) in the acidic coal. The possible reaction mechanism would be that a chemical reaction between the acid (H₂SO₄ or \({\text{HSO}}_{4}^{ - }\)) and fluorine in the coal occurred, thereby producing hydrogen fluoride (HF), which would be the chemical form of fluorine released from coal under relatively mild conditions. The unique chemical and physical property of HF may bring new insight into the pathogenic mechanism of coal-burning endemic fluorosis. The phenomenon of coal-burning fluorosis is not limited to the study area, but is common in southwest China and elsewhere. Further investigation is needed to determine whether other endemic fluorosis areas are affected by this phenomenon.     

Effects of subchronic exposure to carbofuran on antioxidant defence system and malondialdehyde levels in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The present study focused on the assessment of oxidative stress induction by pesticides such as carbamates which are widely used as insecticides and nematicides and contaminate aquatic ecosystems on certain biomarkers in liver of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Biomarkers selected for stress monitoring were malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defence system enzymes, mainly catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in liver of fish exposed to 0, 10, 50, or 100?µg?L^?1 of carbofuran for 4, 15, or 30 days. Oxidative stress was found in liver of common carp exposed to carbofuran which was manifested by a decrease in CAT and GR activities after 4 and 30 days of exposure. An adaptive response was probably produced since at day 15 no modifications in the CAT activity and increased GR activity were observed. In addition, a decrease in MDA content with the highest concentration of carbofuran used was found after 30 days of exposure. However, no significant changes were found in GST activity showing a varied response. The results concerning oxidative and antioxidant profiles indicate that subchronic exposure to the insecticide carbofuran is capable of inducing oxidative stress in fish.     

广东鲂幼鱼对铜、镉胁迫的氧化应激响应及其指示意义

广东鲂（Megalobrama terminalis）是具重要经济价值的珠江流域特有鱼类,已列入国家级水产种质资源保护品种。近年来,随着河流固有生境持续破坏,重金属等水体污染问题不断加剧,以广东鲂为代表的当地特有鱼类资源急剧下降。文章以铜、镉暴露对广东鲂幼鱼48 h的半致死浓度值LC50暴露浓度强度为1个毒性单位（TU）为基准,以室内静水实验法研究了铜、镉离子在低效应浓度、中效应浓度、高效应浓度（分别对应于0.01 TU、0.03 TU和0.11 TU）胁迫对广东鲂幼鱼的氧化应激效应,以期找出适宜的生物标记物,完善珠江水域污染评价与预警体系。结果显示,广东鲂幼鱼MDA、GSH、T-AOC、SOD和CAT（以Pr计）随暴露浓度及暴露时间发生变化,其范围分别在1.08~7.34 nmol·mg-1、0.42~22.82 mg·g-1、0.10~1.32 U·mg-1、2.45~13.24 U·mg-1和0.01~0.09 U·mg-1之间。其中,GSH、MDA和T-AOC在铜、镉暴露后第1天迅速响应至高值,相应的各浓度处理组明显高于对照组。曲线回归结果显示,GSH与暴露浓度c（以TU量计）之间呈显著的二次曲线关系,拟合方程为GSH=-2112（c-0.084）2＋18.1,r=0.847,n=10,P=0.012,暴露浓度阈值为0.084 TU。SOD和CAT则在暴露后第4天响应至高值。曲线回归结果显示, SOD 与 c 及 CAT 与 c 之间均呈显著的二次曲线关系,拟合方程分别为SOD=-2073（c-0.059）2＋14.3,r=0.840,n=10,P=0.014;CAT=-21.2（c-0.056）2＋0.102,r=0.877,n=10,P=0.006,相应的暴露浓度阈值分别为0.059 TU和0.056 TU。与暴露浓度呈显著的二次曲线关系的各指标中,GSH响应最为迅速,SOD和CAT的响应最为灵敏,加之SOD与CAT相关性极强,表明GSH、SOD和CAT这3种氧化应激指标可作为珠江流域水体污染的潜在生物标记物。     

氰戊菊酯对小白菜抗氧化酶活性及丙二醛（MDA）含量的影响

为探讨菊酯类农药胁迫对蔬菜生理生化过程的影响,以小白菜为研究对象,采用大田试验研究了不同浓度氰戊菊酯(20%乳油,推荐用量:稀释1500倍;加倍用量:稀释750倍)对小白菜抗氧化酶活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响.结果表明:喷施推荐用量及喷施加倍用量氰戊菊酯对小白菜抗氧化酶活性均有不同程度的影响.超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在喷施氰戊菊酯后3d内明显受到抑制,之后明显增加,第21d又受到抑制;过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在喷药后小幅增加,第21d与对照基本一致;过氧化物酶(POD)活性在喷药后明显受到抑制.喷施推荐用量及喷施加倍用量氰戊菊酯均可引起小白菜MDA含量显著增加,且喷药浓度越高MDA含量越大,存在一定的剂量效应关系,表明氰戊菊酯胁迫促进了小白菜的膜脂过氧化作用.氰戊菊酯可对小白菜产生一定的氧化损伤,导致SOD、CAT、POD活性发生不同程度的变化.氰戊菊酯胁迫对SOD和POD活性以及MDA含量的影响相对较大,其中对MDA的影响最大,MDA含量可作为植物受到氰戊菊酯胁迫时的标记物.     

铅与纳米SiO2联合染毒对A549细胞氧化损伤的影响

为了研究铅与纳米SiO2联合染毒所致的细胞损伤特征,并从氧化应激方面探讨其可能的作用机制。用铅和SiO2处理A549细胞,采用四唑盐(MTT)比色法检测细胞存活率,评价铅和SiO2联合染毒所致的细胞损伤特征;采用硫代巴比妥酸(TBA)比色法检测细胞内丙二醛(MDA)含量,评价铅与SiO2联合染毒所致细胞的氧化应激状态;检测了细胞内抗氧化物还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量以及细胞内抗氧化酶的活性,以评价铅与SiO2联合染毒对细胞抗氧化系统的影响。将实验数据进行ANOVA分析。结果表明,铅、SiO2单独染毒组各指标没有明显改变;而联合染毒能造成细胞氧化损伤,表现为细胞存活率、GSH水平、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著低于对照组及2个单独染毒组(P<0.05),细胞内MDA含量显著高于对照组及各单独染毒组(P<0.05)。可见,联合染毒可引起明显的细胞毒性,氧化损伤可能是铅与SiO联合染毒致肺细胞毒性损伤的作用机制之一。     

Fluorosis caused by indoor coal combustion in China: discovery and progress

In this study, investigations into endemic fluorosis were conducted and fluorine concentration in environmental samples determined. In an indoor coal-combustion-type fluorosis area, local clay was used to mix with coal for indoor combustion. There are two key steps in the procedure of the indoor transition of fluorine: indoor wet corns and vegetables strongly absorbed fluorine from indoor air; and fluorine strongly accumulated in clay, which was mixed with coal for combustion. Therefore, with the increasing of the percentage of clay in the clay-mixed coal as well as corn in foodstuff, the ratio of fluorosis will be increased.     

全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)胁迫对翡翠贻贝抗氧化酶的影响

为了解全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)对海洋贝类抗氧化防御系统的毒性效应及致毒机理,在实验室条件下研究了PFOS对翡翠贻贝的96h急性毒性,同时探讨PFOS胁迫和净水恢复过程中翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团组织中抗氧化指标(SOD活性、GSH和MDA含量)的变化。结果显示,PFOS对翡翠贻贝的96h半致死浓度(LC50)为68.3mg·L-1,安全浓度为6.83mg·L-1。在PFOS胁迫阶段,1mg·L-1浓度组外套膜SOD活性显著性升高(p<0.05),内脏团SOD酶活性显著降低(p<0.05);而PFOS浓度高于1mg·L-1时,外套膜SOD活性显著性降低(p<0.05),内脏团SOD活性显著升高(p<0.05)。PFOS胁迫对翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团中GSH含量均有显著的诱导作用(p<0.05),PFOS胁迫15d后各浓度组GSH含量均受到显著的抑制(p<0.05)。翡翠贻贝外套膜MDA含量受PFOS胁迫后显著升高(p<0.05),内脏团MDA含量的变化呈先降低、后升高的规律。净水释放阶段,翡翠贻贝两组织中SOD活性在释放7d后均恢复至对照组水平,GSH含量和MDA含量呈显著升高的趋势(p<0.05)。研究结果表明,PFOS暴露能够引起翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团氧化胁迫,但这种损伤的效果不明显,释放短时间后即可自我恢复。     

Ameliorated effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on biomarkers of subchronic acrylamide hepatotoxicity and brain toxicity in rats

Acrylamide (ACR) exerts its toxicity through stimulation of the oxidative stress; yet, its effect on neurotransmitter catabolic enzymes has not been elucidated. We investigated the effects of ACR exposure on brain and hepatic tissues antioxidant enzymes activities and different markers such as, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), nitric oxide (NO), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and lipid profile, and to evaluate the protective effects of garlic against ACR toxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ACR (1 mg kg^?1 body weight) with or without diet containing 1.5% of garlic powder for 40 days. ACR administration showed a decrease in AChE activity associated with an increase in MAO activity in both brain and hepatic tissues. In addition, ACR administration increased the lipid peroxidation and NO levels of both tissues while decreased the activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). On the other hand, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities increased as a consequence of GSH depletion after ACR exposure. Finally, ACR exposure increased the brain and liver lipid profile of cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipid, while phospholipids level was decreased. Coadministration of garlic powder with ACR significantly attenuated oxidative stress, MAO activity, and inflammation in brain and hepatic tissues but did not ameliorate AChE activity. In conclusion, our results emphasized the role of garlic as a potential adjuvant therapy to prevent ACR neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.     

The role of thymoquinone as antioxidant protection on oxidative stress induced by imidacloprid in male and female Swiss albino mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ), an antioxidant agent, against imidacloprid (IMI)-induced oxidative stress in male and female mice. In total, 48 Swiss Albino male and female mice were fed a standard rodent diet and divided into 3 equal groups: the animals in the control group (vehicle treated) were given corn oil, the second group were orally administered 15 mg/kg/day IMI alone, and the third group were orally administered 15 mg/kg/day IMI and with TQ at 10 mg/kg/day for 21 days. During the experimental period, there were no significant changes between initial body weights and final body weights of IMI treated male and female mice. IMI produced significant increase in blood, liver, kidney, and heart malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decrease in blood and liver glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, IMI treatment decreased erythrocyte, liver, and kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in male mice and decreased erythrocyte and liver SOD activity in female mice. Erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activities were found to be low in male and female mice. However, treatment with TQ reversed IMI-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, TQ exhibited protective action against the IMI-induced histopathological changes in tissues of male and female mice. In conclusion, TQ was found to be effective in protecting mice against IMI-induced oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms.     

纳米氧化镍颗粒对长牡蛎(Crassostreagigas)抗氧化防御体系的影响

纳米氧化镍(nNiO)作为一种广泛使用的纳米颗粒,其水生毒理效应研究还很有限。为探索n Ni O对海洋贝类的毒性机制,本研究将长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)置于不同浓度(0、1、10、100 mg·L~(-1))的n Ni O中暴露96 h,分别测定鳃和消化腺组织的丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)以及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,并通过实时荧光定量PCR技术测定了鳃和消化腺中应激蛋白HSP70和AOX基因的表达变化。结果显示:在100 mg·L~(-1)n Ni O处理下,2种组织中MDA含量均显著性升高(P0.01),显示纳米颗粒造成了长牡蛎的脂质过氧化,并可能引起相应的氧化损伤。同时,n Ni O暴露也诱导了长牡蛎抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT和POD)活性的改变。其中,SOD和CAT活性在10 mg·L~(-1)浓度处理组达到最高,而POD活性在1 mg·L~(-1)浓度组即达最高值。在高浓度n Ni O(100 mg·L~(-1))胁迫下,3种抗氧化酶的活性均比低浓度(1和10 mg·L~(-1))处理组降低,表明抗氧化酶的保护作用在较低浓度暴露下更有效;而热激蛋白(hsp70)和交替氧化酶(aox)基因却分别在长牡蛎消化腺和鳃组织中上调表达(P0.01),并表现出一定的组织差异。说明高浓度纳米颗粒暴露中主要是应激蛋白发挥了作用。本文结果为纳米氧化镍对海洋双壳贝类的毒性机制研究及生态风险评估提供了基础数据。     

铜暴露对赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)抗氧化酶活力的影响

通过溶液接触法和人工土壤法,研究了不同暴露环境中Cu对赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)SOD酶、CAT酶和GST酶活力的影响.结果显示:溶液接触试验中, Cu显著抑制蚯蚓SOD酶活力(P<0.05),人工土壤试验中Cu则诱导SOD酶活力增加,预示暴露条件影响蚯蚓SOD酶对Cu的生物响应.人工土壤试验中, Cu暴露浓度与蚯蚓CAT酶和GST酶活力的相关系数分别为0.814和0.933,均存在极显著的剂量效应关系(P<0.001).在这两种暴露环境下,赤子爱胜蚓的CAT酶和GST酶活力对Cu浓度响应敏感.     

氧化石墨烯存在下铜离子对大型溞的毒性研究

氧化石墨烯(graphene oxide,GO)作为一种具有独特物理化学性质的新型纳米材料被广泛应用,其进入环境后可能对传统污染物的毒性造成影响。选取大型溞为受试生物,研究了GO的存在对Cu在大型溞体内的富集、毒性和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,GO对Cu~(2+)具有良好的吸附效果,大幅降低了试验液中Cu~(2+)浓度。1 mg·L~(-1)和2 mg·L~(-1)GO存在下,大型溞暴露于19.2μg·L~(-1)Cu~(2+)溶液72 h后,体内的金属Cu富集量由360μg·g-1干重分别降低为308μg·g-1和215μg·g-1干重。GO的存在降低了Cu~(2+)对大型溞的毒性,Cu~(2+)对大型溞的72 h-LC50值由19.2μg·L~(-1)升高至56μg·L~(-1)。Cu~(2+)单独作用时,大型溞体内SOD活性和GSH含量表现为先诱导后抑制,而MDA含量逐渐升高;当GO存在时,大型溞体内酶活性的变化趋势与上述现象类似,但含量总体低于Cu~(2+)单独暴露时的活性和含量。研究表明GO的加入减少了大型溞体内Cu的富集量,降低了Cu~(2+)对大型溞的氧化损害,对Cu~(2+)的毒性存在一定的减轻效果。     

翡翠贻贝内脏团抗氧化酶活性及脂质过氧化物含量对苯并(b)荧蒽胁迫的生物响应研究

为了研究苯并(b)荧蒽这一典型的多环芳烃化合物对水生生物的毒性效应,测定了不同浓度(2.0、10.0和50.0 μg· L-1)苯并(b)荧蒽胁迫15 d和清水释放10 d后翡翠贻贝(Perna viridis)内脏团组织中抗氧化酶(CAT、SOD和GPx)活性和MDA含量的变化.结果表明,2.0 μg· L-1浓度组...     

Subacute chlorpyrifos-induced alterations in serum lipids and some oxidative stress biomarkers in male Wistar rats: beneficial effect of acetyl-L-carnitine

The present study evaluated the beneficial effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on subacute chlorpyrifos (CPF)-induced alterations in serum lipid profiles and some biomarkers of oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Twenty-eight adult male rats divided into four groups of seven animals each (group I–IV) were used: I (S/oil) received soya oil (2 ml kg^?1), II (ALC) received ALC (300 mg kg^?1); III (CPF) received CPF (8.5 mg kg^?1 ～ 1/10th LD₅₀); IV (ALC+CPF) was pretreated with ALC (300 mg kg^?1) and then exposed to CPF (8.5 mg kg^?1), 30 min later. The treatment was orally for 28 days duration. Sera obtained from blood samples were evaluated for the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-c), and atherogenic index (AI) were calculated. The result showed that elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c, AI, and MDA, and the decreased levels of HDL-c, CAT, and SOD induced by CPF were modulated by ALC. It was concluded that ALC ameliorated the alterations in serum lipid and oxidative stress induced by CPF exposure in the rats, partly through its antioxidant properties.     

麝香酮和镉单一与复合污染对金鱼藻的生态毒理效应研究

为从生物化学角度探讨一种新型污染物———麝香酮与镉(Cd)单一和复合污染的生态毒理效应,以金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum L.)为研究对象,分析了不同浓度麝香酮和Cd在水中单一与复合污染对金鱼藻叶片中抗氧化系统酶,包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT),脂质过氧化最终产物丙二醛(MDA),可溶性蛋白(SP)和叶绿素含量的影响.结果表明:在单一麝香酮和Cd暴露下,SOD活性第1天均显著降低,而第7天在低浓度污染物的胁迫下呈升高趋势;金鱼藻受麝香酮和Cd胁迫的第1天,POD酶活性分别呈升高和降低趋势;麝香酮浓度为0.05mg·L-1或Cd浓度为0.01mg·L-1时,金鱼藻叶片中的CAT活性变化表现为显著的毒物兴奋作用;用两种污染物单一或复合处理第7天,金鱼藻叶片中的MDA和叶绿素含量可以作为评价麝香酮或/和Cd污染水体环境的敏感指标;SP在这两种污染物胁迫下处于能量及脂蛋白的补偿和应激蛋白的合成两方面的得失平衡过程中,故其含量与处理浓度之间无显著相关关系;复合污染中低浓度的麝香酮和Cd复合对金鱼藻表现为拮抗作用,高浓度的复合表现为相加或协同作用.     

双酚A对小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞的氧化损伤

为探究双酚A(BPA)的氧化毒性,分别以剂量为20、40和80mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)的BPA对雄性昆明小鼠灌胃处理1周,并测定了小鼠体内活性氧自由基(ROS)水平、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量和DNA-蛋白质交联系数(DPC)。与对照组相比,各BPA暴露组小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞中的ROS生成量、MDA含量和DPC系数均升高,而GSH含量下降(P<0.05或P<0.01)。ROS生成量、GSH含量和DPC系数均显示出剂量-效应关系。研究表明,BPA可扰乱小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞的氧化应激平衡,诱导细胞氧化损伤。     

花背蟾蜍性腺抗氧化酶对稀土尾矿库污染胁迫的响应

本研究以花背蟾蜍(Bufo Raddei)作为实验动物,以某稀土尾矿库周边受污染的水域湿地为研究样地,以相对无污染的小白河黄河湿地自然保护区为对照样地。通过检测两地花背蟾蜍精巢和卵巢的脏器系数、MDA和GSH含量、SOD、GSH-Px、GST、CAT和GR活性、T-AOC等相关指标。研究花背蟾蜍性腺抗氧化酶对该稀土尾矿库污染胁迫的响应效应。结果显示:与黄河湿地相比,稀土尾矿库湿地复合污染对花背蟾蜍精巢和卵巢脏器系数的影响差异不显著。稀土尾矿库花背蟾蜍精巢和卵巢中MDA含量、GPx、GST和CAT活性显著高于黄河湿地(P0.05),而GSH含量表现出相反的趋势。精巢中T-AOC显著高于卵巢(P0.01),但相同组织在两地间差异不显著。结果表明该稀土尾矿库复合污染对花背蟾蜍精巢和卵巢抗氧化能力有一定的毒害效应,且精巢和卵巢对污染胁迫的响应有明显的差异性。在应对稀土尾矿库湿地复合污染胁迫时,精巢更倾向于调用SOD-CAT系统的抗氧化机制,而在卵巢内GSH系统发挥作用更大。     

亚砷酸钠对酵母细胞抗氧化酶活性和脂质过氧化的影响

以模式生物酿酒酵母为材料,研究亚砷酸钠对细胞生长、抗氧化酶活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及胞内活性氧(ROS)水平的影响。结果显示,加入亚砷酸钠(终浓度0.1~0.6 mmol·L~(-1))后,培养液在600 nm处的光密度值(OD600值)低于对照组,并呈浓度依赖性降低。经亚砷酸钠处理12 h后,酵母细胞中过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)活性均增高,但胞内ROS水平和MDA含量与对照组无显著差异。砷处理24 h后,POD在0.2 mmol·L~(-1)砷处理组中活性最高,而CAT、SOD和T-AOC活性呈浓度依赖性增高;胞内ROS水平和MDA含量在高浓度砷组(0.4和0.6 mmol·L~(-1))显著增高。结果表明,亚砷酸钠可抑制酵母细胞生长,改变细胞内抗氧化酶活性,较高浓度时可引起细胞氧化损伤。     

Effects of mercury graded doses on redox status,metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali

Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous and a major environmental metal pollutant in the aquatic ecosystem. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of mercury graded doses exposure on oxidative stress, redox status, metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali. Specimens were exposed for 96?h to three concentrations of Hg (40, 80 and 160?µg/L). Exposure of H. forskali to Hg promoted oxidative stress with an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. An increase of glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (ViteC) and non-protein thiols (NPSH) contents was also observed. Additionally, antioxidant activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased especially with the highest doses of Hg indicating a great defense of the antioxidant system. Our investigation revealed an increase in total Metallothionein (MT) content which was more pronounced at the sharpest concentrations of Hg. A significant decline of AChE activity was also observed. In the intestine of Hg-treated H. forskali genotoxicity was confirmed by DNA degradation.     

Effects of salinity on the clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamelea gallina</Emphasis> haemocytes. Part II: Superoxide dismutase response

The effects of different salinity levels (28, 34 and 40‰) on functional responses of Chamelea gallina haemocytes were evaluated in a two part study dealing with modulations of immune parameters. This part (Part II) of the study was focused on the superoxide dismutase (SODs) activity and expression in haemocyte lysate and cell-free haemolymph. Results of this study established that the exposure of C. gallina specimens at 40‰ salinity provoked a decrease in Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD activities in haemocyte lysate suggesting a declining superoxide anion generation at the highest salinity tested. Expression of MnSOD was coherent with activity values, while Cu/ZnSOD showed two immunoreactive bands. The former corresponds to the cytosolic Cu/Zn-SOD (16 kDa) was not coherent with the enzyme activity and the second (28–30 kDa) probably attributed to EC-SOD. In cell-free haemolymph, Mn-SOD activity decrease and Cu/Zn-SOD activity increase at 40‰ were observed, likely due to EC-SOD contribution, strongly induced at the same salinity. After EC-SOD detection with two different antibody, we postulate that the EC-SOD like-protein band (29 kDa) may be constitute partly by EC-SOD and probably by Cu/Zn-SOD dimeric form not completely dissociated under reducing condition or a Cu/Zn-SOD degenerated but still recognized by antibody. The cell-free haemolymph increase of EC-SOD at high salinity values plays an important role in immune defence of C. gallina. According to the conclusion of Part I of this study, our data confirmed the destabilizing effect of 40‰ salinity on haemocyte functionality, while to 28‰ exposure, data don’t confirm its stressful action as instead stated by results of Part I. Further studies are necessary to clear up this discrepancy.