Protective effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) extract against DNA damage induced by mercury chloride in marine fish

Marine organisms are continuously exposed to agents, both exogenous and endogenous, that damage DNA. Consequently, it is important to determine the ability of compounds to provide protection against damaging chemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-genotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyceae), collected from the Southeast coast of India. This study focused on possible anti-genotoxic potential of aqueous extract of K. alverazii to interfere with clastogenicity induced by mercury chloride (HgCl₂) in marine fish, Therapon jarbua as measured by cytogenetic endpoints such as cell viability and comet assay. In the first set of experiments, fish were exposed to a single treatment of Hg at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2?ppm along with controls. Mercury exposure produced significant DNA damage in all comet classes, maximum as >79% (Class 4) at 0.5, 1, and 2?ppm exposure in a time dependent manner. Algal extract did not induce genotoxicity when given alone and prevented Hg-induced genotoxicity. The algal extract reduction in genotoxicity was significant but not time- and concentration-dependent. Results suggested that under present experimental conditions, K. alvarezii extract exhibit potent anti-genotoxicity effects in this fish model; and thus these extracts may be recommended as a supplement in fish meal and may benefit humans ingesting Hg-contaminated fish.     

Influence of marine alga against mercury-induced biochemical changes,structural destabilization,and genotoxicity in marine tiger fish,Therapon jarbua

This study elucidated the protective role of alga against mercury (Hg)-induced toxicity in marine fish. Bath immersion with mercury chloride (HgCl) [0.125 and 0.25?ppm] in combination with the algal extract (3?ppm) to Therapon jarbua offered a significant protection against Hg only induced disturbed liver function, damaged histoarchitecture, elevated oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation of tissues. Mercury exposure decreased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and the level of nonprotein-soluble thiol (NPSH, GSH), with a concomitant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the gill, kidneys, liver, and blood. Algal supplementation diminished the rise in TBARS restoring CAT, SOD, and GSH levels to control. Reduced generation of free radicals may be correlated to protect DNA stability and morphology. This study indicates the ability of alga to ameliorate Hg-mediated injuries. In conclusion, Kappaphycus alvarezii extract did not show any toxicity and its safety is suggestive for using as a supplement in fish food.     

大亚湾核电站运转前后附近地区动物体肝组织、红细胞中超氧物歧化酶活性

本文采用邻苯三酚自氧化法，测定了大亚湾核电站Ⅰ、Ⅱ号机组运转前与后第１年、第２年附近地区动物体肝组织及红细胞中超氧物歧化酶（ＥＣ１．１５．１．１Ｓｕｐｅｒｏｘｉｄｅｄｉｓｍｕｔａｓｅ，ＳＯＤ）活性变化，结果发现Ⅰ、Ⅱ号机组运转后第１年与第２年，鱼类，细鳞（ＴｈｅｒａｐｏｎＪａｒｂｕａ）红细胞与肝组织中ＳＯＤ活性较运转前明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０５），血红蛋白略有下降，肝组织蛋白无明显变化，两栖类动物蟾蜍（Ｂｕｆｏｍｅｌａｎｏｓｔｉｃｔｕｓ）红细胞ＳＯＤ活性运转后亦明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０１），但肝组织中ＳＯＤ活性呈现下降（Ｐ＜０．０５），血红蛋白及肝组织蛋白无明显性变化，本文对其变化可能原因进行了讨论。     

Mercuric chloride induced proteotoxicity and structural destabilization in marine fish (Therapon jarbua)

The reaction byproducts derived from lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities were measured in tissues of marine fish (Therapon jarbua) exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl) in water dispersions of 0.125 or 0.25 ppm. LPO was significantly increased in various tissues relative to control values after 96-h exposure. SOD and GPx activities significantly decreased after exposure to first two doses but significantly elevated CAT in Dose II kidney and liver tissues. The elevated levels of LPO, decreased activities of SOD and GPx, and increased CAT activities in all tissues examined in T. jarbua are an index of oxidative stress in fish. Structural analysis by scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the structural deformation in HgCl₂-exposed animals. These observations suggest that HgCl acts as a mediator in free radical generation. The increase in CAT and decrease in SOD and GPx activities in these tissues may be an adaptive response.