Effects of mercury graded doses on redox status,metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali |
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Authors: | Imen Rabeh Khaoula Telahigue Safa Bejaoui Tarek Hajji Lassaad Chouba M’hamed EL Cafsi |
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Institution: | 1. Physiology and Aquatic Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia;2. Higher Institute of Biotechnology - Sidi Thabet, Biotechpole Sidi Thabet, Univ. Manouba, Ariana, Tunisia;3. National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM), Tunis, Tunisia |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Holothuria forskali mercury (Hg) intestine antioxidant status |
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