臭氧胁迫下外源喷施亚精胺和EDU对小麦生理指标的影响

采用开顶式气室模拟研究外源喷施亚精胺(Spd)和EDU对O3胁迫下小麦生理指标变化的影响,测定的生理指标包括丙二醛含量(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶活性(SOD)、过氧化物酶活性(POD)、过氧化氢酶活性(CAT)、可溶性蛋白质含量、还原型谷胱甘肽含量(GSH)、谷胱甘肽还原酶活性(GR)、抗坏血酸含量(ASA)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性(APX)。结果表明,外源喷施Spd和EDU可不同程度地提高小麦叶片的SOD、POD、CAT、APX和GR活性,降低MDA和ASA含量,提高GSH和可溶性蛋白含量。当Spd的浓度为0.25、0.50和0.75mmol·L-1时,小麦叶片POD活性比对照处理提高90.0%～226.7%,CAT活性提高21.4%～40.6%,APX活性提高164.2%～191.0%,MDA含量降低9.7%～42.5%。喷施300mg·L-1EDU可导致小麦叶片POD、CAT和APX活性分别比对照处理提高76.8%、27.4%和128.1%,MDA和ASA含量降低,GSH含量提高25.6%。以上结果说明Spd和EDU是2种比较有效的缓解小麦O3胁迫的抗氧化剂,可用来防护O3对小麦的毒害。     

Combined effects of copper and cadmium on Chlorella pyrenoidosa H.Chick: subcellular accumulation,distribution, and growth inhibition

Disposal of waste into aquatic ecosystems may cause microalgae to be exposed to various metals, e.g. copper and cadmium. The effects caused by combinations of metals may be more serious. Evaluations of subcellular fate, bioaccumulation, and biological effects of metals on aquatic organisms are generally derived from experiments with individual metals. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of exposure of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to copper and cadmium in combination on subcellular accumulation, distribution, and growth. The algae were exposed for 72 h to copper at concentrations of 13 – 25 µmol L^?1, cadmium at about 6 µmol L^?1, and combinations thereof. The levels of copper and cadmium in subcellular organelles, heat-denaturated protein, metal-rich granules, and heat-stable protein were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Exposure of C. pyrenoidosa to copper and cadmium in combination inhibited growth more strongly than copper and cadmium individually. Highest accumulation was observed in metal-rich granules and heat-stable proteins. Administration of both metals in combination affected their subcellular distribution: copper was mainly distributed into the metal-rich granules (70%–80%) and heat-stable proteins (9%–24%), cadmium in the metal-rich granules (88%–98%).     

Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of copper on growth and oxygen consumption by the postlarvae of Penaeus indicus

The aim of this study was to assess the toxic impact of copper on postlarvae (PL) of the penaeid shrimp Penaeus indicus. Tolerance, growth, oxygen consumption and metal accumulation were investigated in these PL on exposure to copper. Tolerance studies were conducted for 96 h to assess the tolerance limits of P. indicus PL exposed to different concentrations of copper using static renewal bioassay tests. Using the Probit method, the regression equation was calculated as Y=0.4899+2.3562 X, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9707. The 96 h LC₅₀ was 0.8204 ppm. The effect of sublethal (one-fifth of 96 h LC₅₀) copper on PL for short- and long-term exposures revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the rate of oxygen consumption, metabolic rate, mean length, wet and dry weight of the exposed PL over their respective controls which can be attributed to a gradual and time-dependent accumulation of the metal, as noticed in the exposed PL through accumulation studies. Overall, the data suggest that on chronic exposure even sublethal concentrations of copper can reduce the metabolic rate and growth in P. indicus PL. This is perhaps the first attempt to use the wild P. indicus PL as a bioindicator of copper toxicity.     

双酚A对紫背浮萍生长和光合色素及抗氧化系统影响

以紫背浮萍为实验对象,探究双酚A(bsiphenol A, BPA)对其生长、光合色素含量、抗氧化系统和渗透压调节物质的影响。结果表明,不同浓度(0、1、5、20和50 mg·L~(-1))BPA连续暴露7 d后,与对照组相比,随暴露浓度升高,紫背浮萍湿重和叶绿素含量呈现先显著增加后降低的趋势;暴露组过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量和抗超氧阴离子自由基活性显著降低;丙二醛(MDA)含量在20和50 mg·L~(-1)组显著升高;暴露组抗氧化酶活性包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均低于对照组;谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量在高浓度组显著升高,20 mg·L~(-1)组可溶性糖含量显著升高,可溶性蛋白含量在中高浓度组显著增加。研究表明,中低浓度BPA会提高紫背浮萍光合色素含量,有机物积累增多,促进其生长;但随BPA浓度不断升高,紫背浮萍体内产生氧化损伤,抗氧化酶活性及叶绿素含量降低,生长受到抑制。本研究结果将为BPA污染控制及对水生植物生态毒性效应评价提供理论基础。     

O3浓度升高对不同生长期冬小麦叶片抗氧化系统的影响

由于人口的快速增长,人类活动导致近地层O3浓度不断提高,O3浓度升高将对植物、动物和人体健康产生极大的危害.采用开顶式气室(OTC)原位实验方法,研究O3浓度升高对不同生长期冬小麦叶片抗氧化系统的影响,进而分析O3对植物的伤害机制.结果表明,O3浓度升高可导致冬小麦拔节期和抽穗期叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶...     

不同干旱胁迫强度下白刺花幼苗叶片的生理生化反应

植物代谢产物和抗氧化酶活性与干旱胁迫强度的定量关系是评估植物适应干旱能力的重要科学问题.本文采用盆栽试验设计,设置土壤田间持水量(FC)80%、60%、40%、20%4个干旱胁迫处理.研究了不同强度的干旱胁迫梯度上2 a生白刺花(Sophora davidii)幼苗叶片内丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性蛋白质、光合色素含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的变化特点.发现:(1)MDA与Pro含量随着干旱胁迫强度的增加呈线性增加趋势.(2)蛋白质和光合色素含量在干旱胁迫梯度上呈"钟型"抛物线变化趋势,在60%～40%FC下含量最高.(3)4种抗氧化酶活性的变化趋势不尽相同.其中SOD与APX的活性在干旱胁迫梯度上的反应均表现为多项式变化规律,即在中度干旱下的活性显著升高.而重度胁迫下降低;CAT活性变化规律与SOD和APX活性的变化正好相反;POD活性则表现为倒钟型趋势.60%FCT活性最低.综合分析表明,可溶性蛋白质和光合色素的含量、SOD、APX、CAT以及POD不仅能够较好地指示干旱胁迫对幼苗叶片的生理生化伤害程度,并且可反应叶片开始受胁迫伤害的土壤干旱水平.但是MDA和Pro含量则无法指示;60%FC左右的土壤含水量是白刺花2 a生幼苗叶片生理生化代谢受到伤害的干旱强度的阈值.图3参26     

Variation in trace element mobility and nitrogen metabolism of Verbascum olympicum Boiss. under copper stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu) stress on accumulation and transport of trace elements, nitrogen assimilation, and growth parameters of Verbascum olympicum. Eight-week-old seedlings were grown in Hoagland's solution and exposed to 0, 50, 250, or 500?µM CuSO₄ for seven days in laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation of trace elements (boron, bismuth, cobalt, Cu, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, zinc) in the roots and leaves was determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry after one, three, and seven days. Chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase activities, soluble protein content, and biomass were determined. Copper accumulated in the roots and leaves (up to 19609.8 and 256.2?mg?kg^?1 dry weight, respectively). Other trace elements accumulated to higher levels in the roots of Cu-treated plants compared with those of control plants. High Cu concentrations decreased nitrogen-assimilatory enzyme activities. Compared with control plants, those treated with high Cu concentrations showed lower chlorophyll contents, total protein contents, and biomass. Nitrogen assimilation and growth parameters of V. olympicum were negatively affected by Cu treatment but mineral nutrition was not severely disrupted. The results support the suitability of V. olympicum as a candidate for phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soils.     

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.     

Biological effects of water soluble fraction of crude oil on the Arctic sea ice amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii

With increasing petroleum related activity in the Barents Sea and the subsequent risk of accidents, there is a demand for knowledge about the effect of oil pollution in Arctic ecosystems. In the present study, the sea ice amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii was exposed to a water soluble fraction (WSF) of oil in two experiments, using a rock column system. First, three groups of adult females were exposed for 36 days for control (n=9), low dose (n=10) (initial and final oil concentration: 14, 115 and 120 μ g/l) and high dose (n=10) (initial and final oil concentration: 78, 764 and 395 μ g/l). Total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase activity (CAT), respiration rate and mortality were measured. In the second experiment, moulting rate was measured in immature individuals of two groups, control (n=10) and exposed (n = 20), over 113 days. No mortality was observed in either of the experiments. There was a dose-related significant increase in respiration rate (40.69 (±22.82), 55.63 (±20.98), 94.57 (±22.80)) mg O₂ h^?1g ww^?1 in control, low dose and high dose, respectively. A higher MDA level was detected in the low dose group (25.04 (±6.00) nmol g^?1 of tissue) compared to both control (20.44 (±2.62) nmol g^?1 of tissue) and high dose groups (20.93 (±4.79) nmol g^?1 of tissue). Likewise, the low dose group had the highest value of TOSC towards hydroxyl (727.74 (±475.58), 1157.58 (±278.62), 1067.30 (±369.22) TOSC unit value mg^?1 of protein for control, low and high dose, respectively). Although no difference in the catalase activity between control and exposed groups was detected, higher activity was measured at 0 °C (average: 248 μ mol^?1 min^?1 mg^?1 of protein) than at the standard temperature for catalase measurement of 25 °C (average: 140 μ mol^?1 min^?1 mg^?1 of protein), indicating a need to optimise the standard operational procedure when working with Arctic organisms. No effect of WSF exposure on moulting rate was detected. In conclusion, little mortality was observed during the experiments, indicating some degree of tolerance levels. However, the biomarker results indicated sub-lethal effects in G. wilkitzkii after exposure to WSF.     

Chronic exposure effects of copper on growth,metamorphosis and thyroid gland,liver health in Chinese toad,Bufo gargarizans tadpoles

The impact of copper exposure on Chinese toad (Bufo gargarizans) tadpoles was investigated in this study. First, the 96h LC50 value of copper was 8.697 μM, by means of a 4 d acute toxicity test. Second, we studied the chronic effects of copper on B. gargarizans tadpoles at control, 0.025, 0.1 and 1.0 μM concentration. Survival, body length, body weight, developmental stage, incidence of metamorphic climax, and size at metamorphic climax were determined. In tadpoles developed to metamorphic climax (stage G42), liver and thyroid gland were assessed histologically. Copper at 0.1 and 1.0 μM could inhibit tadpole growth and prolong tadpole metamorphic progress relative to controls. Tadpole size (total length and weight) at stage G42 is also affected in the 0.1 and 1.0 μM treatments. In addition, histological examinations have revealed that 1.0 μM copper could cause significant pathological changes and hepatocytes degeneration in liver. Furthermore, histomorphological measurements indicated that copper at 0.1 and 1.0 μM reduced thyroid gland size, diameter and number of follicle. In conclusion, our study suggests that Cu could damage the liver and thyroid gland, so growth and metamorphosis of B. gargarizans tadpoles were inhibited resulted of disrupting liver metabolism and THs homeostasis.     

Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of copper in common onion Allium cepa L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential utility of Allium cepa L. as a bioindicator organism for measuring copper bioaccumulation and toxicity in laboratory conditions. Onions were exposed to increasing concentrations of the metal (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 μg mL^?1) for 7 days. Root and leaf development were chosen as biological endpoints, while bioaccumulation was evaluated in roots, bulbs and leaves. Copper caused inhibition of root elongation with increasing effects at the higher doses, growth being reduced by almost 60% at 0.1 μg mL^?1 and up to 95% at 10 μg mL^?1. The elongation of leaves was significantly lower only in specimens exposed at 0.5 μg mL^?1, but a total absence of newly formed tissues was observed at 10 μg mL^?1. A marked bioaccumulation of copper was measured in roots, with values increasing up to almost four orders of magnitude compared to controls; only slight or even no significant differences were observed for copper levels in leaves and bulbs of treated A. cepa. Multiple linear correlations revealed a significant inverse relationship between copper concentrations and tissue length in both the roots and leaves, evidencing a sensitive responsiveness of this biological model. The overall results suggest the suitability of A. cepa as a robust species for easy and simple ecotoxicological bioassays to test the toxic effects and bioavailability of environmental pollutants, especially trace metals.     

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.     

Effect of calcium and magnesium on copper,cadmium, and some essential elements of Indian major carps Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and Catla catla (Hamilton) treated with copper and cadmium

The effect of calcium and magnesium either singly or in combination on accumulation of cadmium and copper in Labeo rohita (rohu) and Catla catla (catla) was investigated in this study under laboratory conditions. The investigation showed that copper accumulation in rohu exposed to 0.25 mg L^?1 of copper for 14 days reduced from 31.0 ± 0.4 mg kg^?1 at no calcium/magnesium treatment to 3.5 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1, respectively, at 75 mg L^?1 calcium or magnesium treatment. The copper level in catla exposed to 0.20 mg L^?1 of copper for 14 days reduced from 5.7 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1 at no calcium/magnesium treatment to 3.4 ± 0.2 and 3.3 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1, respectively, at 300 mg L^?1 calcium or magnesium treatment. The cadmium accumulation in rohu exposed to 0.20 mg L^?1 of cadmium for 14 days reduced from 1.7 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1 at no magnesium treatment to 1.4 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1 at 120 mg L^?1 magnesium treatment. The cadmium accumulation in catla exposed to 0.20 mg L^?1 of cadmium for 14 days reduced from 0.8 ± 0.2 mg kg^?1 at no magnesium treatment to 0.6 ± 0.2 mg kg^?1 at 80 mg L^?1 magnesium treatment. Copper and cadmium treatments also reduced some essential microelements of rohu and catla. Both the fishes restored these elements at different levels of calcium and magnesium.     

2种鼠尾草对模拟酸雨胁迫的耐受性比较及其生理机制研究

为探究2种具有较高药用和观赏价值的鼠尾草对酸雨的耐受性及其生理机制,以美丽鼠尾草(Salvia meiliensis S.W.Su)和贵州鼠尾草(S. cavaleriei Lévl.)为试验材料,分析了2种鼠尾草在不同pH(6.8、5.6、4.5、3.5和2.5)模拟酸雨胁迫下伤害等级、叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶活性以及丙二醛和有机渗透调节物质含量的变化。结果显示：模拟酸雨对美丽鼠尾草的伤害程度高于贵州鼠尾草;随pH的下降,2种鼠尾草叶片叶绿素a、b和总含量逐渐降低,但贵州鼠尾草叶片叶绿素a、b和总含量高于美丽鼠尾草,并以较高的叶绿素a/b适应模拟酸雨胁迫;2种鼠尾草在模拟酸雨胁迫下产生了适应性反应,表现为叶片可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量以及超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性的升高,但这一适应性反应被降低的过氧化氢酶活性严重削弱;模拟酸雨胁迫下,贵州鼠尾草叶片SOD、POD和CAT活性均高于美丽鼠尾草,叶片MDA含量低于美丽鼠尾草。研究表明,尽管美丽鼠尾草渗透调节能力很强,但其抗氧化酶活性、叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b都低于贵州鼠尾草,使其膜脂过氧化程度较高、对光能的吸收和转化效率较低,是其对模拟酸雨的耐受性低于贵州鼠尾草的重要原因。     

NaCl胁迫对不同柑橘砧木品种抗氧化系统的影响

采用土培的方式,研究了不同浓度的NaC(l0,50,100,150,250,350mmol·L-1)对岑溪酸橘Citrus reticulata Blanco、龙州土柠檬Citrus limonia Osbeck和临桂砧板柚Citrus grandis Osbeck叶片抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT、APX)活性以及谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧自由基(O2·-)含量的影响。结果表明,随着NaCl处理浓度的增加,岑溪酸橘、龙州土柠檬和临桂砧板柚3种柑橘叶片中O2·-均有不同程度的增加,表明在NaCl处理下3种柑橘均受到了不同程度的O2·-胁迫。NaCl处理对岑溪酸橘和龙州土柠檬SOD、POD活性,临桂砧板柚MDA含量的影响不显著(P0.05),但引起临桂砧板柚SOD活性、岑溪酸橘和龙州土柠檬APX活性显著增加(P0.05)。在不同浓度的NaCl处理下,3种柑橘叶片的CAT活性均有不同程度的下降,但GSH的含量随着NaCl浓度的增加而增加,在NaCl处理浓度为350mmol·L-1时,岑溪酸橘、龙州土柠檬、临桂砧板柚GSH含量分别比对照提高了137%、59.1%、90.8%,表明GSH在解毒NaCl胁迫时起重要作用。     

Acute toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles to Daphnia magna under different test conditions

The acute toxicity of monodispersed 6 nm and <100 nm poly-dispersed copper oxide nanoparticles toward Daphnia magna was assessed using 48 h immobilization tests. CuSO₄ was used as a reference. Four different exposure conditions were tested, to study whether the toxicity of the nanoparticle suspensions changed in a way similar to what is known for dissolved Cu: first in ISO standard test conditions (pH 7.8), second with slight acidity (pH 6.5), third in the presence of citric acid, and fourth in the presence of humic acid. For all four exposure conditions, the toxicity of Cu employed in the three forms followed the same sequence, i.e., CuSO₄ > monodispersed 6 nm CuO ? poly-dispersed CuO. The toxicity of all Cu forms decreased from pH 6.5, ? pH 7.8, > pH 7.8 + citric acid, to ? pH 7.8 + humic acid. This pattern is in agreement with concentrations of Cu²⁺ calculated using the equilibrium model MINTEQ. These findings show that the acute toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles is governed by test water composition and the chemical species Cu²⁺.     

Effects of vanadate supply on plant growth, Cu accumulation, and antioxidant capacities in Triticum aestivum L.

The effects of normal vanadate (V) supply (40 μM) on copper (Cu) accumulation, plant growth and reduction in Cu toxicity in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated. The results showed Cu accumulation (mg g^?1 dw) in the applied V treatment was about 10.2 % in shoots and 16.7 % in roots higher up on exposure to excess Cu (300 μM) than that observed only in excess Cu plants. Compared with the treatment of the normal concentration used in Hoagland’s culture solution Cu (0.6 μM), excess Cu significantly induced lipid peroxidation indicated by accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (MDA). The seedlings showed apparent symptoms of Cu toxicity and plant growth were significantly inhibited by excess Cu. The applied V significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in roots caused by excess Cu and inhibited the appearance of Cu toxicity symptoms. Moreover, the applied V effectively improved the antioxidant defense system to alleviate the oxidative damage induced by Cu. Although the addition of V could promote superoxide dismutase in both shoots and roots to reduce superoxide radicals, peroxidase and catalase in shoots and ascorbate peroxidase and dehydroascorbate reductase in roots were major enzymes to eliminate H₂O₂ in wheat seedlings.     

Modifications of photochemical efficiency,cellular viability and total phenolic content of Prosopis glandulosa leaves exposed to copper

The effects of copper (Cu²⁺) on photochemical efficiency, cellular viability and total phenolic content in Prosopis glandulosa leaves were evaluated after 4, 8 or 12 h exposure to 0.1, 10 or 100 mM Cu²⁺ using the tissue tolerance test. The results showed that significant reductions (p<0.003) of photochemical efficiency in P. glandulosa leaves were found after 8 h exposure to 100 mM Cu²⁺ compared with controls leaves. The results also showed a significant increase (p<0.05) on electrolyte leakage values in P. glandulosa leaves after 4 h exposure to 100 mM Cu²⁺ compared with control leaves. Total phenolic content in P. glandulosa leaves only differed significantly when exposed 12 h to the highest concentration of Cu²⁺. These results suggest that Cu²⁺ can produce reactive oxygen species that may form hydroxyl radicals that damage proteins and lipids, which in turn causes loss of integrity and reduce photochemical efficiency of leaves. In conclusion, the photochemical efficiency and cellular viability analyses can be used as useful physiological tools to assess early changes in photosynthetic performance of P. glandulosa in response to copper pollution.     

Mechanisms for copper tolerance in Amphora coffeaeformis-internal and external binding

Growth of the ship-fouling diatom Amphora coffeaeformis and accumulation of copper in the cells were evaluated for cultures exposed to copper. Comparisons with literature reports for other species revealed that A. coffeaeformis shows no ability to maintain normal growth rates in the presence of high cellular copper levels. This suggests that internal binding is not the principal copper tolerance mechanism for this species. In addition, the copper complexing capacity of A. coffeaeformis exudates was evaluated. Significant complexing by these exudates was demonstrated by DPASV analysis. When added to the culture medium of another species (Thalassiosira profunda), A. coffeaeformis exudates were also able to reduce copper toxicity and accumulation in the cells of that species. However, the copper tolerance of A. coffeaeformis was greater than that acquired by T. profunda grown with A. coffeaeformis exudates; thus exudate production was deemed not to be a primary tolerance mechanism. Comparison of copper accumulations inside and outside cells of A. coeffeaeformis suggests that binding at the cell surface or to mucilage may be an important factor in the tolerance of this species to copper.     

Ultrastructural responses and oxidative stress induced by cypermethrin in the liver of Labeo rohita

The present study was conducted to establish the relationship between selected oxidative stress parameters and ultrastructural responses in liver tissue of Labeo rohita fingerlings exposed to cypermethrin. Fish were exposed to lethal (4.0 μg L^?1) and sublethal (0.4 μg L^?1) concentrations of cypermethrin for a period of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h for acute studies and 1, 5, 10 and 15 days for subacute studies, respectively. Results showed increased catalase (CAT) and protease activity, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls and free amino acid (FAA) levels at both concentrations. This suggests participation of free-radical-induced oxidative cell injury in mediating the hepatotoxicity of cypermethrin. In corroboration of this, ultrastructural lesions witnessed a reduction in the number of cell organelles, swollen, vacuolated and condensed mitochondria, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and reduced numbers of smooth enodplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes and lysosomes at the lethal (4.0 μg L^?1) concentration. At the sublethal (0.4 μg L^?1) concentration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, condensed, vacuolated and swollen mitochondria, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and an absence of hepatocyte microvilli were prominent. Ultrastructural changes were exhibited as subcellular responses due to the imbalance in cellular oxidative status by means of oxidative damage.