Xenobiotic metabolising enzymes and antioxidant defences in deep-sea fish:relationship with contaminant body burden

Abstract

Xenobiotic metabolising enzymes, namely the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system and glutathione S-transferase, as well as antioxidant enzymes were determined in the liver of 3 deepsea fish species (tepidion lepidion, Bathypterois mediterraneusand Coryphaenoides guenthen). These organisms were collected from 3 stations along the NW Mediterranean, at depths ranging from 1500 to 1800 m. The enzymatlc activities detected in deep-sea fish indicated the ability of these organisms to cope with pollutants and oxidative stress. Differences among the studied species may be related to habitat and diet, viz. the highest monooxygenase and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in L. lepidion, a typical middle slope species, whereas the lowest activities were recorded for B. mediterraneus, an organism adapted to live at greater depths. Tissue concentration of persistent organochlorinated compounds, like polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs and hexachlorobenzene, were in the lower range of those reported for coastal fish, and significant differences among sampling stations were not observed. Overall, the obtained results contribute to the knowledge of the NW Mediterranean deepsea basin and reflect the chronic contamination of the area in terms of organochlorinated compounds, rather than the influence of coastal discharges.

The reproductive toxicity on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis induced by BDE-47 and studies on the effective mechanism based on antioxidant defense system changes

“…It is well reported that the responses of antioxidant enzymes to toxicants are transient and vary between different species and contaminants (Narbonne et al, 1999;Porte et al, 2000;Livingstone, 2001). Further research should focus on clarifying the enzymatic pattern of different contaminants and species to elucidate their physiological role in detoxifying ROS (Livingstone, 2003).…”

Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Western basin of the Mediterranean Sea

“…This is the case of the North West basin with areas described as contaminated by oil as demonstrated measuring the contamination of sediments (Benlahcen et al 1997;De Luca et al 2004;Romano et al 2004;Trabelsi and Driss 2005;Mille et al 2007) in water (Lipiatou et al 1997;Bouloubassi et al 2006) and in marine organisms (Baumard et al 1998(Baumard et al , 1999Villeneuve et al 1999;Piccardo et al 2001;Andral et al 2004) and measuring biological effects (Galgani et al 1992;Burgeot et al 1993Burgeot et al , 1995Porte et al 2000;Romeo et al 2003;Minier et al 2006;Box et al 2007;Martínez-Gómez et al 2008).…”

Effects of organochlorines on cytochrome P450 activity and antioxidant enzymes in liver of roundnose grenadier Coryphaenoides rupestris

“…However, due to difficulties in sampling, previous studies have been generally based on limited numbers of individuals of similar size, showing little variation in OC contamination levels (e.g. Berg et al 1998, Porte et al 2000 that could influence CYP and antioxidant enzyme activities. We overcame these limitations by focusing our efforts on a single species caught in large numbers at different depths within a limited area.…”

“…So far, little information is available on the oxidative effect of OC. Porte et al (2000) analysed hepatic antioxidant enzymes activities and OC levels in muscles of Coryphaenoides guentheri, Lepidion lepidion and Bathypterois mediterraneus individuals sampled in the Mediterranean Sea (1500 to 1800 m). The reported OC levels were low and, overall, little differences were reported between sampling sites for both contamination levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities.…”