Karakaya Dam Lake (KDL) is one of the most important water sources, both for irrigation and fishery, located in eastern part of Turkey. This study is concerned with the pollution of the lake contributed by urban, industrial and agricultural activities. The parameters selected for this aim were the enzymes commonly used as biomarkers of environmental pollution. The activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) has been determined in liver tissue samples of Cyprinus carpio, a representative species of KDL. Furthermore, brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity which is mainly affected by pesticides such as organophosphates, has been assayed. Chemical analysis results showed that KDL was polluted by various heavy metals as it was apparent from water, sediment and gill tissue. The activity of brain AChE was significantly lower in all localities than Tecimli area (St-5) where there is no agricultural and industrial activities in the immediate periphery. Thus, this change of AChE activity may relate to agricultural pollution in KDL. On the other hand, no significant differences were found for selected enzyme biomarkers, but condition factor (CF) or hepatosomatic index were significantly different from the St-5 samples, a result that may be attributed to water pollution in KDL by various contaminants.

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These results indicate that CO2 pneumoperitoneum applied with 5, 10, or 15 mmHg pressure increases the formation of free oxygen radicals, which is counterbalanced by increased SOD and CAT activities of the lung and liver tissues. This effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on free radicals and lipid peroxidation appears to be pressure dependent in rats. The mechanism underlying this pressure dependency is still under investigation.

Potential developmental toxicities of six different textile dyes were evaluated using the frog embryo teratogenesis assay-Xenopus (FETAX). Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to astrazon red FBL, astrazon blue FGRL, remazol red RR, remazol turquoise blue G-A, cibacron red FN-3G, and cibacron blue FN-R from stage 8 to 11 for a 96-h exposure period in static renewal test conditions. A minimum of 17 concentration-response tests were performed with tested dyes, excluding a control group for each dye. Median lethal concentration (LC50), malformation (EC50), non observed adverse effect concentration (NOAEC), and lowest observed adverse effect concentration (LOAEC) were calculated. Also, teratogenic index (TI), minimum concentration to inhibit growth (MCIG), and MCIG/LC50 values were determined for each of the tested dyes. Characteristic abnormalities induced by a given test material were determined by the relationship between concentration and dye in the study. Results from these studies suggested that each tested dye is teratogenic for X. laevis embryos. The lowest LC50 was determined for astrazon red exposure corresponding to a value of 4.73 mg/L. The LC50 value was similar for this dye and astrazon blue; the highest TI was calculated for astrazon blue exposure. Tests with X. laevis indicated that each of the tested compounds possessed teratogenic potential with varying degrees of potency: astrazon blue FGRL > remazol turquoise blue G-A > astrazon red FBL > cibacron blue FN-R > cibacron red FN-3G > remazol red RR. Different types of malformations occurred in the embryos, depending on concentration and dye. From these results, we can suggest that astrazon blue is the most toxic compound, but that the others are also highly toxic and teratogenic substances for X. laevis embryos. Results of the study confirmed that the FETAX assay can be useful in an integrated biological hazard assesment for the preliminary screening of textile dye stuff.

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These results indicate that CO2 pneumoperitoneum applied with 5-10 mmHg pressure increases the formation of free oxygen radicals by inhibiting SOD activity and that the accumulation of free radicals elevates the level of MDA, a metabolite of lipid peroxidation. The effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on free radicals and lipid peroxidation is pressure-dependent in rats. The mechanism underlying this pressure dependency is still under investigation.

Anticholinesterase properties of 14 new synthesized organophosphorus (OP) compounds and four of their starting substances were tested in vitro and in vivo using electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Rana ridibunda (frog of lowland) tadpoles, respectively. Gusathion‐M® was used as a reference anti‐AChE agent. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition capacity of tested compounds was assayed for 30‐min period in vitro studies using electric eel AChE, of which 14 OP compounds inhibited enzyme activity more than 50% within 30 min, excluding Gusathion‐M. However, four of the compounds inhibited AChE less than 50% during the test period. On the other hand, 12 of the OPs did not bring about mortality, whereas six of the tested compounds were found to be lethal agents for R. ridibunda tadpoles, for which values of concentration causing 50% lethality ranged from 14.42 to 89.95 ppm. Also, the highest degree of enzyme inhibition occurred by diethyl chlorophosphate (ETCP), which inhibited AChE activity 62% at 2.89 ppm in 24‐h toxicity tests and which was more effective than Gusathion‐M. The lethal OP compounds represented good correlation between dose and enzyme‐inhibition capability in in vivo tests, but only ETCP showed such a relation for anti‐AChE effect in both in vitro and in vivo conditions.