Profiles of enzymatic activity in earthworms from zinc, lead and cadmium polluted areas near Olkusz (Poland) (original) (raw)
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The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical responses in three earthworm species, Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx ceylanensis and Perionyx excavatus induced by exposure to pesticide (carbaryl) and metal (lead) in soil. Earthworms were exposed to increasing concentrations of carbaryl (12, 25 and 50 mg kg −1) and Pb (75, 150 and 300 mg kg −1) in the soil for different periods of time and the biochemical changes were determined. The protein content was slightly increased in E. eugeniae, P. ceylanensis when exposed to the lower concentration of Pb (75 mg kg −1). But decreased protein content was observed in P. excavatus at the higher concentration of carbaryl (50 mg kg −1), and with exposure to 300 mg kg −1 Pb in P. ceylanensis. The changes in the levels of antioxidant enzymes glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were used as functional biomarkers to determine the effect of pesticides and metals on earth-worms. Among these, GST exhibited more sensitive response to both carbaryl and Pb as compared to the control. Other antioxidant enzymes showed little variation at the time of exposure. The results of our study suggested that both carbaryl and Pb induced the production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) by causing oxidative damage to cells. Due to an adaptive response of earthworms in contaminated soils, they could be used as significant biomarkers to asses the toxicity in the environment of the soil ecosystem. This is the first report on the comparative study of antioxidant enzyme activities in three earthworm species under normal and stress induced conditions.
Environmental Pollution, 2004
We studied the relations between glutathione-dependent detoxifying enzymes and heavy metal burdens in the web-building spider Agelena labyrinthica (Agelenidae) and the wolf spider Pardosa lugubris (Lycosidae) from five meadow sites along a heavy metal pollution gradient. We assayed the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidases (GPOX, GSTPx), and glutathione (GSH) levels in both sexes. Except for GSH vs Pb content, we found significant correlations between GPOX and GSTPx activity and metal concentrations in females of A. labyrinthica. The highest activity of these enzymes measured in the web-building spiders was found in the individuals from the most polluted sites. In P. lugubris males significant correlations were found between GST and Pb and Zn concentrations, and between GPOX and GSTPx and the concentration of Cu. GST activity was higher in males collected from less polluted areas. Thus, detoxifying strategies against pollutants seemed to be sex-dependent. Actively hunting spiders had higher metal concentrations, maintaining lower activity of detoxifying enzymes and a lower glutathione level.
Environmental Pollution, 2014
The aim of this study was to estimate the bioavailability of essential (Zn, Cu) and non-essential metals (Cd, Pb) to the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus exposed to soils originating from a gradient of metal pollution in Southern Poland. Metal uptake and elimination kinetics were determined and related to soils properties. Experimental results were compared with tissue metal concentrations observed in earthworms from the studied transect. Cd and Pb were intensively accumulated by the earthworms, with very slow or no elimination. Their uptake rate constants, based on 0.01 M CaCl 2 -extractable concentrations in the soils, increased with soil pH. Internal concentrations of Cu and Zn were maintained by the earthworms at a stable level, suggesting efficient regulation of these metals by the animals. The estimated uptake and elimination kinetics parameters enabled fairly accurate prediction of metal concentrations reached within a life span of L. rubellus in nature.
Chemosphere, 2018
The aim of this study was to assess the biomarkers of oxidative stress [reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO)] in earthworms of different ecological categories [epigeic Eisenia fetida (E. fetida) and anecic Eutyphoeus waltoni (E. waltoni)] exposed to cadmium (Cd)-polluted soil (30, 60 and 120 mg kg) for 28 days. Cd accumulation in earthworms increased significantly with increasing exposure dose and duration. However, E. fetida showed a relatively higher level of Cd accumulation until day 21; thereafter, depletion in the Cd level was recorded for the highest exposure dose. In E. waltoni, the detoxification enzymes and GSH level increased significantly with increasing exposure dose and Cd accumulation for 14 days (acute phase). In contrast, in E. fetida, acute exposure to Cd increased detoxification enzym...
The use of direct response of animals to environmental challenges by production of biomarkers is a better tool to assess environmental pollution than the conventional methods. This study aimed to measure Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in earthworms as tools for assessing heavy metal pollution in abattoir soil. Five (5) replicates each of earthworm species (Libyodrilus violaceous, Eudrilus eugeniae and Alma millsoni), soil and rumen waste samples were collected from three (3) abattoir sites (Lafenwa, Gbonogun and Madojutimi abattoirs), and a control site located within Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, beside an undisturbed stream with no rumen waste. Heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Mn) concentrations in rumen waste, abattoir soils and earthworm tissues were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The pH and organic matter (OM) concentrations of the rumen waste and abattoir soils were determined by standard methods. GST activities in the earthworm tissues were determined through the conjugation of 1 mM reduced glutathione (GSH) with 1 mM 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). The rumen waste recorded significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) % OM, heavy metal concentrations and pH level than in their respective abattoir soils. The mean heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Mn were highest in the tissue of earthworm species obtained from Lafenwa abattoir. A significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher GST activities were recorded in the tissue of earthworm species obtained from Lafenwa and Gbonogun abattoirs. Libyodrilous violaceus obtained from Lafenwa abattoir recorded the highest GST activity (8.47±1.39) in their tissue followed by the ones from Gbonogun abattoir (8.21±0.85). A significant (p ≤ 0.05) positive correlations was observed between GST activities in earthworm tissues and heavy metal concentrations. GST activities can therefore be used to assess the level of heavy metal pollution in abattoir soils. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 779-789. Epub 2016 June 01.
Oxidative damage and antioxidant properties were studied in Mugil cephalus exposed to cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in chronic toxicity test as pollution biomarkers. The elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS) levels observed under exposure to heavy metals, leading to the oxidative damage resulting in lipid peroxidation (LPX). Increased activities of antioxidants, catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) under long term exposures to heavy metals are more prominent to metal stress suggesting activation of physiological mechanism to scavenge the ROS produced. Decreased values of reduced glutathione (GSH) on long exposures to cadmium and lead indicate utilization of this antioxidant, either to scavenge oxyradical or act in combination with other enzymes. The acetylcholinesterase activity was found to be decreased during metal exposures. The results suggest that heavy metal does alter the active oxygen metabolism by modulating antioxidant enzyme activities, which can be used as biomarker to detect sublethal effects of pollution. This article can be downloaded from www.ijpbs.net B -42
Chemosphere, 2006
The biochemical response to chronic heavy metal exposure was studied in tissues of bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus. Animals were collected from three sites located 4, 8 and 30 km from a zinc–lead smelter, the area’s main source of metal contamination. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Fe were measured in the liver, kidneys and gonads to assess the level of metal intoxication. In response to intoxication, organisms activate detoxification mechanisms which can protect animals from metals’ toxicity. Glutathione plays an important role in toxic substance detoxification. Total glutathione (tGSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were measured in the tissues. Also, the activity of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was measured in the studied tissues. Results indicate that levels of all studied parameters were tissue and site-dependent. Evidence indicates that the most sensitive parameter of metal toxicity for animals living in a chronically contaminated environment is the GSH/GSSG ratio. In our study, the GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the liver of animals with high Cd levels. However, the relationship between Pb and the GSH/GSSG ratio was positive in the gonads. Cadmium and lead negatively influenced GPX activity in the liver; this was probably connected with inhibition of the Se-dependent fraction. The relationship between iron and GR activity in the kidney was also negative, but other correlations for iron both in liver and kidney were not significant. Positive correlations between Zn levels and GST and GR activity were found in the gonads of bank voles.
Oxidative stress in earthworms short- and long-term exposed to highly Hg-contaminated soils
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011
Exposure to mercury is often assessed by the measurement of molecular and biochemical antioxidant defences against an excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Here we examined some selected biomarkers of oxidative stress in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris short-(2 d) and long-term (44 d) exposed to Hg-contaminated soils (up to 1287 mg/kg dry wt). This level of Hg exposure did not cause earthworm mortality, however it yielded organisms to a situation of oxidative stress which was evidenced by the time-dependent responses of biomarkers. The reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio was a sensitive and early biomarker of Hg exposure, although the glutathione reductase activity back returned their normal physiological concentrations. Metallothioneins and total glutathione seemed to have a significant role in reducing Hg-induced oxidative stress when exposure to Hg prolonged up to 44 d. We combined biomarker responses into an integrate biomarker index which positively correlated with the Hg concentrations measured in the postmitochondrial fraction of the earthworm muscle, and with the available Hg fraction in soil. Current results suggest that glutathione redox cycle can be a complementary tool in the exposure and effect assessment of Hg-polluted soils.