Sol-gel immobilisation of methyl parathion degrading bacteria isolated from agricultural areas of Pakistan

The following areas are discussed in this paper: immobilisation of bacterial consortium in sol-gel; methyl parathion degradation and bioremediation applications; evaluation of indigenous bacterial isolates of contaminated soils. Bacterial strains were isolated from agricultural areas of Pakistan which were contaminated with methyl parathion. A bacterial consortium of seven (out of 64) Enterobacteriaceae isolates including Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Proteus vulgaris capable of degrading methyl parathion (enzyme activity ranging 410–675 mU mL^?1 for individual isolates and 982 mU/mL for consortium) was selected and subsequently immobilised in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and sodium-silicate-based sol-gel matrices. Cell viability of suspended and immobilised bacterial consortium was monitored using a minimal salt medium supplemented with methyl parathion. The results indicate that sol-gel immobilisation can be helpful to increase the shelf life of methyl parathion degrading bacterial strains along with preservation of biological activity for bioremediation applications in field.     

Protective effects of Manasamitra vatakam on aluminum-induced nephrotoxicity,oxidative stress,and histological damage

The aim of this study was to investigate the nephroprotective and antioxidant property of Manasamitra vatakam (MMV) against aluminum (Al)-induced toxicity in rats. The kidney function marker parameters such as serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine were significantly increased in Al-treated rats as compared with controls. Similarly, the antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and Mg-ATPase, reduced glutathione were also found significantly increased in Al-treated rats. A significantly decreased level of these parameters was observed in the MMV (orally 100?mg?kg^?1 body weight)-treated group along with a reduced level of malonaldehyde, molecular chaperones of an antioxidative stress protein, and mRNA expression of HSP70. The biochemical observations were also supported by histopathological observations. Thus, this study supports the nephroprotective and antioxidant activities of MMV.     

The effect of oxytetracycline on physiological and enzymatic defense responses in aquatic plant species Egeria densa,Azolla caroliniana,and Taxiphyllum barbieri

Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic widely employed in aquaculture to control and treat bacterial diseases of fish. Due to ineffective wastewater treatment, antibiotic residues from fish ponds are directly released into surface and groundwater affecting the environment. The Green Liver System® is a sustainable and cost-effective water treatment based on the ability of aquatic plants to biotransformation xenobiotics. To expand the application range of this system, Egeria densa, Azolla caroliniana, and Taxiphyllum barbieri were tested in response to oxytetracycline exposure. The aquatic plants were exposed to 0.5, 2.0, 5.0, and 25 μg/L oxytetracycline (n = 4) for 24 h in order to analyze the physiological responses (photosynthetic pigment contents and hydrogen peroxide formation -- H₂O₂), the biotransformation process (activity of glutathione S-transferase), and the antioxidant defense (glutathione reductase; peroxidase; and catalase) responses. There were no statistical differences in the photosynthetic pigment contents and H₂O₂ level between the treatment and control groups in the three aquatic plant species. It can be concluded that oxytetracycline does not provoke physiological damage to the tested species within 24 h of exposure. Nevertheless, the antioxidant defense mechanism was activated. Peroxidase and catalase were the most prominent antioxidant enzymes in the three plant species, whereas glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly increased in A. caroliniana and T. barbieri.     

Protective effects of curcumin on antioxidant status,body weight gain,and reproductive parameters in male rats exposed to subchronic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin (CUR) on antioxidant status, body weight (BW) gains, and some reproductive parameters in male rats exposed to subchronic doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. The first group was kept as control. The second group (TCDD group) was given TCDD at a dose of 50 ng·kg^?1 BW per day; the third group (CUR group) was treated with CUR at a dose of 80 mg·kg^?1 BW per day. The fourth group (TCDD + CUR group) was given TCDD and CUR at the same doses simultaneously. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased in the TCDD group. In addition, TCDD exposure decreased liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activities of kidney and brain, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities of liver, kidney, and brain, and glutathione levels of liver, kidney, and heart. However, CUR treatment with TCDD exposure decreased MDA levels in all tissues and increased SOD activities of liver, kidney, and brain, CAT activity of heart, and GSH-Px activities of heart and brain. TCDD caused a decrease in BW gain, and CUR partially eliminated this effect of TCDD. In addition, while reproductive organ weights, sperm concentration, and sperm motility tended to decrease with TCDD exposure, these effects tended to be close to normal levels by CUR treatment. In conclusion, CUR was seen to be effective in the treatment and prevention of toxicity induced by subchronic TCDD exposure.     

The effects of evening primrose oil on arsenic-induced oxidative stress in rats

Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were allocated to the four groups such that each comprised 12 animals. The first group was maintained as the control. In group 2, evening primrose oil was administered at a dose of 0.1 mL rat^?1 day^?1 (～500 mg kg^?1 bw) into the stomach via gavage, whilst in group 3 sodium arsenide was administered at a concentration of 100 mg L^?1 in ad-libitum drinking water for 30 days. The fourth group was given 0.1 mL rat^?1 day^?1 evening primrose oil into the stomach via gavage plus 100 mg L^?1 of sodium arsenide in ad-libitum drinking water for 30 days. At the end of the 30th day, tissue (liver, lung, kidney, brain, heart, spleen, and testis) and blood samples were collected from each group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured in the samples. Exposure to arsenic in rats causes oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation (increase of MDA and NO levels) and altering the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Evening primrose oil did not have any adverse effects. Furthermore, it was ascertained that the administration of arsenic with evening primrose oil reduced the severity of oxidative stress.     

Effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. on lipid peroxidation,antioxidant enzyme systems,and key liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats

In this study, we investigated the effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. extract (MCE) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems, and several liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated rats. Rats were divided into five groups. The first group (control group) was fed on standard feed. The rats in the other groups (CCl₄, MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200) were injected intraperitoneally with 0.8?mL?kg^?1 CCl₄. Moreover, rats in the MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200 groups were gavaged with 50?mg?kg^?1, 100?mg?kg^?1, and 200?mg?kg^?1 MCE, respectively. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, whole blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity levels were measured after 14 days of exposure. ALT and AST in the CCl₄ group increased significantly in comparison to the control group (p?4, MCE50, MCE100, and MCE200 groups at different significance levels. In conclusion, the findings suggest that, depending on the dose administered, MCE decreases CCl₄-induced damage and consequent oxidative stress in rats; it affects the antioxidant system positively.     

Effect of latex material on antioxidant enzymes,lipid peroxidation,DNA damage,and chromosomal aberration

Cell integrity is affected by oxidative stress when the production of active oxidants overwhelms antioxidant defense mechanisms. Latex, a natural polymer obtained from Hevea brasiliensis, is used in medical industry for manufacturing surgical gloves, urinary catheters, and dental dams. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of latex material on oxidative stress by in vivo and in vitro methods. In addition, the material was screened for its ability to induce any chromosomal aberrations (CAs) by in vitro method. In vivo studies were carried out with implanted latex material onto subcutaneous tissue of various batches of experimental Wistar rats. At the end of experimental period, animals were anesthetized, blood was collected for serum analysis, and sacrificed. Liver was excised for the determination of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Subcutaneous tissues were obtained for the extraction of genomic DNA from implanted animals and checked for the presence of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), considered an indicator of DNA damage. Simultaneously, in vitro studies were carried out using fresh liver and subcutaneous tissue obtained from Swiss albino mice treated with physiological saline extract of latex material. For the estimation of both in vitro and in vivo oxidative stress, 10% liver homogenate was assessed for stress indicators like reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, LPO and protein content. The results of both in vivo and in vitro studies indicated that the chemical leachents from the latex material did not significantly affect LPO and the levels of antioxidant enzymes. There was also no significant increase in 8-OHdG content due to the presence of implanted latex material. Finally, the results of in vitro CA test and G banding indicated that extracts of test material did not induce any chromosomal abnormalities.     

乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼急性毒性及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为评价乙酸铜对银鲳的安全性及毒性效应,采用静水急性暴露实验,研究了8个乙酸铜浓度梯度(0、0.150、0.206、0.282、0.387、0.531、0.729、1.00 mg·L~(-1))对银鲳幼鱼的急性毒性,以肝脏和鳃组织的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶(GSH—PX)以及谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶(GST)活性为指标研究乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼的毒理作用,并进行安全评价。结果表明,高浓度乙酸铜会对银鲳幼鱼产生了较大的毒性,48 h和96 h-LC_(50)分别为0.898 mg·L~(-1)、0.264 mg·L~(-1),安全质量浓度为0.026 mg·L~(-1);不同浓度乙酸铜胁迫下银鲳幼鱼组织中的SOD、CAT、GSH-PX和GST活性均表现为低浓度被诱导而高浓度受抑制的规律,与乙酸铜浓度呈抛物线型剂量效应关系,此外,肝脏中4种抗氧化酶活性普遍高于鳃组织。研究发现,乙酸铜胁迫对抗氧化酶的影响,可以反映银鲳幼鱼机体的受损状况,其中SOD可较灵敏地指示早期低浓度的铜污染。     

Protective effect of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp extract on collagen content and oxidative stress induced by sodium fluoride in the liver and kidney of rats

Fluorosis is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. The generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation has been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic fluoride toxicity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp extract on the collagen content and oxidative stress in liver and kidney of fluoride-exposed rats. The first group served as control. The second group received 200 mg L^?1 of sodium fluoride through drinking water. The third and fourth groups received T. indica fruit pulp extract (200 mg kg^?1 body weight) alone and along with fluorinated drinking water respectively, daily by gavage for a period of 90 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from all groups, and liver and kidney samples were taken concurrently. Levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were evaluated in the liver and kidney of experimental rats. Furthermore, level of hydroxyproline and histological examination of liver and kidney along with serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. In conclusion, fluoride was determined to cause adverse effects in rats, and the supplementation of tamarind to these animals alleviated the adverse effects of fluoride.     

Cytotoxicity of benalaxyl,metalaxyl, and triadimefon on Chinese hamster ovary cells

The cytotoxicity of the fungicides benalaxyl, metalaxyl, and triadimefon was evaluated in vitro using the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cell line. The midpoint cytotoxicity values of neutral red (NR) incorporation (NRI₅₀), total cellular protein content (TCP₅₀), and the methyl tetrazolium assay (MTT₅₀) were estimated. Benalaxyl was the most cytotoxic fungicide, followed by metalaxyl and triadimefon. Fetal calf serum (10%) caused a reduction in benalaxyl, metalaxyl, and triadimefon cytotoxicity by factors of 1.8, 1.3, and 1.3. The effects of sublethal concentrations (NRI₂₅) of the three fungicides on the glutathione redox cycle components glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and total glutathione content were studied. The ameliorative effects of extracellular glutathione (1 mmol L^?1), vitamin C (70 µmol L^?1), and vitamin E (30 µmol L^?1) were also investigated. The three antioxidants led to significant effects on the glutathione redox cycle components.     

Seed pre-soaking with 24-epibrassinolide reduces the imidacloprid pesticide residues in green pods of Brassica juncea L.

The effect of 24-epibrassinolide seed soaking on imidacloprid residues in green pods and mature seeds of Brassica juncea L. plants was investigated. The activities of the antioxidative enzymes glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase, and the content of glutathione were determined. Imidacloprid residues in green pods were analyzed and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealing that 24-epibrassinolide treatment resulted in a decrease of residues by almost 30%. In mature seeds, no pesticide residues were detected. Activities of all the antioxidative enzymes and glutathione content were found to be high in plants grown in soil amended with 300 mg imidacloprid kg^?1 soil, but pre-soaking with 100 nmol L^?1 24-epibrassinolide further enhanced the activities of all these enzymes and the glutathione content.     

Effects of environmental hypercapnia on hemato-immunological parameters,carbonic anhydrase,and Na+, K+-ATPase enzyme activities in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues

In this study, the effects of environmental hypercapnia on hemato-immunological parameters and the activities of respiratory enzymes such as carbonic anhydrase (CA) and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues (gill, liver and kidney). Batches of 12 fish were exposed to 4.5 mg L^?1 (control) and 14 mg L^?1 CO₂. No mortalities occurred during the 14 days of the experimental period. Red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) levels, and innate immune parameters such as nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), lysozyme, and myeloperoxidase activities, and the melano-macrophage frequency were negatively affected by elevated CO₂ levels. Patterns of change in CA activity differed among the gill, liver, and kidney. Compared with the activities of CA in the control group, the CA enzyme was significantly stimulated at day 7 in the gill tissue, whereas it was stimulated at day 14 of the experiment in the liver tissue of fish exposed to 14 mg L^?1 CO₂ (P < 0.05). In contrast to the pattern of CA enzyme activities, the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase enzymes were stimulated significantly in the liver after day 7 but inhibited in the kidney and gill (P < 0.05). These results suggest that a subchronic exposure to hypercapnia of rainbow trout tissues may lead to adaptive changes in the respiratory enzymes and negatively affects hemato-immunological parameters.     

Protective effects of Flacourtia indica on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

This study examined the cardioprotective activity of an ethanolic extract of Flacourtia indica (FI) against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Different phytoconstituents were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. DOX is a chemotherapeutic agent which produces free oxygen radicals that result in serious dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. A DOX dose of 20?mg?kg^?1 body weight is used to bring significant changes in biochemical parameters, endogenous antioxidants, and moderate necrosis in the heart. The pretreatment with FI at two doses (250 and 500?mg?kg^?1) to DOX-treated rats significantly prevented the altered biochemical parameters such as serum marker enzymes serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, creatine phosphokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase, lipid profile such as low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde to near normal level. Serum urea, uric acid, and alkaline phosphate which are increased on DOX administration registered near normal values on pretreatment with FI. In conclusion, these data suggest that the ethanol extract of FI can prevent heart damage by DOX-induced MI in rats and this is likely mediated through its antioxidant activities.     

Antioxidant responses in the polychaete Perinereis gualpensis (Nereididae) exposed to the carbon nanomaterial fullerene (C60)

The objective of this study was to analyse biochemical responses induced by the carbon nanomaterial fullerene (C₆₀) in the polychaete Perinereis gualpensis (Nereididae). The activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), as well as total antioxidant capacity, concentration of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (TBARS), were analysed. Estuarine worms were maintained in sediments collected at an unpolluted site and spiked with fullerene (3 mg C₆₀·g^?1 sediment). A control group was run in parallel. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of sediment and fullerene indicated that the size of the carbon nanomaterial should enable it to be ingested by the polychaete. No evidence of oxidative damage (TBARS) was observed in any of the treatments, and the same was true for GSH and GCL measurements (p>0.05). Total antioxidant capacity was higher in the C₆₀ group after 2 and 7 d when compared with the control group (p<0.05), suggesting that fullerene is acting as an antioxidant. The fact that P. gualpensis is an infaunal organism diminishes the chance of fullerene photoexcitation with consequent reactive oxygen species production. Thus, the data indicated an absence of toxic responses mediated by oxidative stress in estuarine worms exposed to C₆₀ mixed in sediments.     

Ecotoxicity of silver nanoparticles on earthworm Eisenia fetida: responses of the antioxidant system,acid phosphatase and ATPase

Ecotoxicity of nanoparticles has received growing attention in recent years. This study investigated the influence of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) on earthworm Eisenia fetida. The experiment was performed with five test groups: control (without Ag-NP), 10?nm Ag-NP groups (20, 100 or 500?mg?kg^?1) and positive control (787?mg?kg^?1 AgNO₃). After 14-day acute exposure, activities of various enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), acid phosphatase (AP), and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were determined. Effects of Ag-NP with different sizes (10 and 80?nm) were also tested. Data showed that the activity of GR was significantly lower at 500?mg?kg^?1. The activities of AP and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were inhibited following the increase of Ag-NP concentration. When treated with Ag-NP with different sizes, activities of AP and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase of the 10?nm group were significantly lower than the control group, but those of the 80?nm group were similar to the control group. Data indicate that Ag-NP may be harmful to the earthworm E. fetida at 500?mg?kg^?1, and the toxicity of Ag-NP with 10?nm size is greater than 80?nm. In addition, AP and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase are sensitive biomakers to the effects of Ag-NP.     

Biochemical assessment of lead,phenol, and benzene-contaminated water on the heart and blood of Albino rats

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of contaminated water on the tissues of Rattus novergicus (albino rats). Test rats were given water contaminated with lead (0.015 µg L^?1 tap water), phenol (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), and benzene (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), while control rats were given tap water over a period of 65 days after which the activity of selected enzymes of the heart and serum was assayed, and hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles were also determined. Generally, a significant (p < 0.05) drop in the activity of the enzymes was observed in the heart of test rats relative to the control rats. However, the serum activities increased significantly in the test group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides of the test rats were found to be significantly higher than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). Concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume of test rats were observed to be significantly lower than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). The experimental results indicated that consumption of water contaminated with lead, phenol, and benzene may damage the heart, increase the risk of atherosclerosis as reflected by the serum lipid profile, and anemia as suggested by abnormal hematological properties.     

The usability of oxidative stress and detoxification biomarkers in Gammarus pulex for ecological risk assessment of textile dye methyl orange

The present study was undertaken to determine the toxicity of the methyl orange by using the changes of some antioxidant and detoxification enzyme activities in Gammarus pulex. Lethal Concentration (LC) value of Methyl Orange (MO) was determined. Three sublethal doses of MO (1/4; 1/8 and 1/16 of LC value) were exposed to G. pulex for 24 and 96?h. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P_X), Cytochrome p450 (CYP1A1), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities as well as Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by using The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The CAT and CYP1A1 activities were decreased in all the groups exposed to different doses of MO. GST activity and GSH, MDA levels were increased all the groups exposed to different doses of MO. The GSH-P_X activities were changed in all the groups. MO affected SOD activity at different levels and in different concentrations. In our study, it has been found that exposure duration didn’t significantly affect the biochemical biomarkers except for GST and GSH. In conclusion, alterations in antioxidant and detoxification enzymes and lipid peroxidation may potentially be used as sensitive biomarkers for risk assessment of dyes in the environment and may contribute to the establishment of discharge regulations.     

甲基对硫磷降解菌DLL-1的分离、鉴定及降解性研究

从长期施用甲基对硫磷的污染土壤中分离到一株能以甲基对硫磷为唯一碳源生长且能将其完全矿化的细菌 Ｄ Ｌ Ｌ－ １ ,经鉴定,为邻单胞菌（ Ｐｌｅｓｉｏｍｏｎａｓ ｓｐ ．） ．该菌株３ ｈ 内对５０ ｍｇ／ Ｌ甲基对硫磷的降解率为９３ ％ ,２４ｈ 内对５０ ｍｇ／ Ｌ甲基对硫磷的降解率为９５ ％ 以上．在葡萄糖铵盐培养基中, Ｄ Ｌ Ｌ１ 对甲基对硫磷的耐受浓度和降解速度均增大．降解曲线表明延滞期内,菌体依靠上一生长阶段分泌的酶类对甲基对硫磷进行降解,一旦菌体开始生长,则检测不到中间代谢产物对硝基苯酚的存在．生长情况和粗酶液试验均显示 Ｄ Ｌ１ 优良的降解性状     

全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)对三角帆蚌肝胰腺的氧化性损伤

PFOS是典型的持久性有机污染物,迁移能力强,具有较高的生物可利用性和蓄积能力,且具有广泛的生物毒性。为探究PFOS对淡水底栖生物的毒性作用机制,以三角帆蚌为研究对象,进行了不同剂量(0.1、1.0、5.0 mg·L-1)的PFOS胁迫和净水恢复实验,期间对受试生物肝胰腺中的谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、谷胱甘肽-S转移酶(GST)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,以及谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)的活性进行了连续测定。结果发现,低浓度胁迫(0.1 mg·L-1)对各项指标均有不同程度的诱导作用,且持续时间较长;而在中高浓度PFOS胁迫下,则呈现出明显的诱导向抑制过渡的时间效应。GSH含量和GST活性具有较高的相关性(P0.05)。恢复实验中,所测指标普遍未恢复到对照组水平,说明P FOS胁迫损伤的恢复需要更长的时间。研究表明,PFOS对三角帆蚌肝胰腺的氧化胁迫显著,并能快速地激活肝胰腺细胞的解毒代谢;但长期的PFOS胁迫则会造成肝胰腺细胞的实质性损伤。