Intoxication effects of lindane (γ-BHC) on the activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases of Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Two transaminases, viz., aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, in six tissues of Anabas testudineus (Bloch) exposed to 0.075 mg/liter (120 hr LC₀) and 0.59 mg/liter (24 hr LC₁₀₀) of lindane were studied. An increase in the transaminase activity levels was observed in all the tissues except liver and muscle. Elevations observed in the later periods of exposure were higher than those observed in the initial periods of exposure in all the tissues except liver which showed an inverse trend. The significance of the results is discussed.     

Some hematological,biochemical, and enzymological parameters of a fresh-water teleost fish, Channa punctatus, exposed to sublethal concentrations of quinalphos

Alterations in the levels of hemoglobin, total plasma proteins, glucose, and lactic acid in the blood; glycogen and lactic acid content of liver and white skeletal muscle; and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase in liver, kidney, intestine, brain, gills, and muscles were examined in the fresh-water snake-head fish, Channa punctatus, after exposure to a sublethal concentration (25 μg/liter) of quinalphos for 60 and 120 days. Hemoglobin, plasma protein, glucose, and lactic acid decreased in pesticide-exposed fish. The glycogen content of the liver and muscles increased but lactic acid decreased. Lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased in all six tissues. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity of liver, kidney, gill, and muscle decreased, but the enzyme activity was elevated in intestine and brain. In intestine, succinate dehydrogenase activity was elevated, and in the remaining five tissues the enzyme activity was significantly reduced. The present study showed that formation of glycogen and its breakdown was impaired in the liver, and aerobic oxidation of nutrients was adversely affected in quinalphos-exposed fish.     

Haematological and biochemical responses of freshwater teleost fish Cyprinus carpio (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes) during acute and chronic sublethal exposure to lindane

The impact of acute and sublethal toxicity of a synthetic organochlorine pesticide lindane on some haematological and biochemical parameters of a freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio was estimated. The median lethal concentration of lindane for 24 h was 0.38 ppm. During acute treatment (24 h), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and erythrocyte (RBC) values were decreased, whereas leucocyte (WBC) count increased in the pesticide treated fish. The hematological indices like mean cellular volume (MCV), mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were decreased when compared to control group. Biochemical profiles like plasma glucose and protein levels were increased in lindane exposed fish showing a percent increase of 50.36 and 3.98 at the end of 24 h treatment. However, glycogen content in liver and muscle were decreased showing a percent decrease of 21.70 and 1.74. In sublethal treatment (1/10th of LC50 24 h value, 0.038 ppm), RBC count was decreased whereas WBC count increased in the pesticide treated fish throughout the study period (25 days). Hb and Hct values were decreased up to 10th day and after that recovered showing a significant increase in the rest of the study period. Similarly, a biphasic response was observed in the value of MCV, MCH and MCHC. Plasma glucose level was significantly increased while plasma protein level decreased throughout the study period. Further, glycogen level in muscle and liver were showed a mixed trend. In the present study, the pesticide lindane caused alterations on haematological and biochemical parameters of C. carpio and these alterations can be used as non specific biomarkers in pesticide contaminated aquatic ecosystem.     

Adaptive changes in the patterns of carbohydrate metabolites in blood,liver, muscle and heart tissues of Sarotherodon mossambicus (Peters) exposed to the carbamate fungicide ziram

Adaptive changes in the levels of carbohydrate metabolites, glucose, glycogen and lactic acid, were studied in a freshwater edible fish, Sarotherodon mossambicus exposed to a carbamate fungicide, ziram. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the fish showed (i) adaptive utilization of stored glycogen, particularly in liver tissue; (ii) adaptive accumulation of glycogen in muscle and heart tissues, probably by glyconeogenesis and (iii) adaptive mechanism of operation of ‘diving syndrome’, to meet the stress of the pollutant under sub-lethal exposure. © 1998 SCI.     

Effect of sublethal concentration of metasystox on selected oxidative enzymes,tissue respiration,and hematology of the freshwater air-breathing fish,Channa striatus (Bleeker)

Sublethal exposure (LC₅₀, 1.7 mg/liter) of metasystox decreased succinic dehydrogenase activity and tissue respiration, while lactic dehydrogenase activity increased in gill, brain, muscle, liver, and kidney tissues of Channa striatus (Bleeker). Metasystox also decreased blood parameters like WBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. Increase observed in RBC, PCV, and Hb was statistically significant. Possible reasons for these changes are discussed.     

Physiological response of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) to acute fenvalerate intoxication

The physiological responses of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) to fenvalerate intoxication during aqueous exposure were examined to provide information about the pyrethroid mode of action in fish. Trout (n = 4) were exposed to 412 ± 50 μg/liter fenvalerate and died in 10.9 ± 1.5 hr. Brain, liver, and carcass fenvalerate concentrations associated with mortality were 0.16 ± 0.05, 3.62 ± 0.57, and 0.25 ± 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. Visible signs of intoxication included elevated cough rate, tremors, and seizures. Histopathological examination of gill tissue showed damage consistent with irritation. An evaluation of respiratory-cardiovascular and blood chemistry responses indicated an elevated rate of metabolism associated with increasingly severe seizures. A cessation of ventilatory and cardiac activity, occurring with the seizures, was also observed. Finally, urine osmolality, Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations, and Na⁺ and K⁺ excretion rates were elevated with intoxicated trout. The physiological responses of rainbow trout to fenvalerate intoxication suggest that besides effects on the nervous system, effects on respiratory surfaces and renal ion regulation may be associated with the mechanism of pyrethroid action in fish.     

Metabolic and histological parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) exposed to commercial formulation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxiacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of commercial formulation of herbicide 2,4-D on metabolic parameters, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and liver histological evaluation of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) exposed for 96 h. AChE activity increased in brain (600 and 700 mg L⁻¹) and decreased in all concentrations tested in muscle tissue. Hepatic glycogen was reduced after 2,4-D exposure ranging from 47.67% (400 mg L⁻¹) until 59.3% (700 mg L⁻¹). Hepatic tissue showed lactate reduction at all 2,4-D concentrations tested and glucose was reduced only at 700 mg L⁻¹. In the highest concentration tested hepatic glycogen and glucose reduced instead plasma glucose levels increased. White muscle tissue showed glycogen reduction in fingerlings exposed to all herbicide concentrations and glucose reduction at 700 mg L⁻¹. Muscle lactate levels increase at all 2,4-D concentrations tested. Vacuolation of hepatocytes and changes in its arrangement cords were observed by histologic analysis in group treated with 700 mg/L of 2,4-D. These results suggest that silver catfish exposed to concentrations of 2,4-D near of CL₅₀ showed metabolic and histological response to compensate some stress caused by herbicide exposure. Taken together parameters measured can be used as biomarkers to monitor herbicide contaminated water.     

Inducement of metabolic dysfunction by carbamate and organophosphorus compounds in a fish, Puntius conchonius

Exposure of a freshwater cyprinid (Puntius conchonius) to 2.142 and 4.784 ppm of carbaryl and dimethoate, respectively, for 24 hr, seriously affected carbohydrate and cholesterol metabolism. Significant hyperglycemia and glycogenolysis in liver, brain, and heart were manifested in the treated fish. Hypercholesterolemia and rise in liver cholesterol also occurred. Long-term exposure, 15–30 days, to chronically sublethal concentrations, 0.194 and 0.306 ppm carbaryl and 0.434 and 0.683 ppm dimethoate, elicited hypoglycemia and depletion of liver glycogen, together with enhanced glycogenesis in the heart. The glycogen level in brain fell in response to carbaryl exposure in contrast to a significant elevation caused by dimethoate. Reduction in blood and liver cholesterol at 15 days was followed by an increase at 30 days.     

Effect of a paired mixture of aldrin and formothion on carbohydrate metabolism in a fish, Heteropneustes fossilis

Exposure of the Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) to a high sublethal concentration, 0.114 ppm (0.8 of the 96-hr LC₅₀) of a mixture of aldrin and formothion, added in a one-to-one ratio, for 3, 6, 12, 48, and 96 hr affected carbohydrate metabolism. Muscle glycogen decreased significantly at 6 and 48 hr; hepatic glycogen content declined at 3, 6, 12, and 48 hr in exposed fish. Blood glucose levels in fish were significantly decreased at 3, 12, 48, and 96 hr. Mean value of blood pyruvate was significantly depressed at 3 hr. Blood lactate levels were elevated at 3, 6, 12, and 96 hr in pesticide-treated fish. The observed effects of the mixture of aldrin and formothion on carbohydrate metabolism in fish could prove useful as a rapid method for evaluating toxicity of pesticides and other toxicants.     

In vivo biochemical changes in liver and gill of Clarias batrachus during cypermethrin exposure and following cessation of exposure

The sublethal effect of a synthetic pyrethroid, cypermethrin on total protein, amino acids, ammonia, glycogen, and enzymes like aminotransaminases (AIAT, AAT), glutamate dehydrogenase, and glycogen phosphorylases (a and ab) was studied in physiological important tissues viz; liver and gill tissues of freshwater teleost air breathing fish, Clarias batrachus. The study was conducted during exposure of 1/3 (33%) of LC₅₀ concentration and followed by cessation of exposure. Thirty-six fish were exposed to 0.07 mg/L cypermethrin for 10 days. After 10 days, 18 fish were released to freshwater and kept in the same for 10 days (recovery group). Thirty-six fish were kept in freshwater as control batch. Protein content in liver tissues decreased at the end of 1st and 5th day followed by slight increase at the end of 10th day. Gill tissue showed statistical significant decrease (P < 0.001) in protein content during exposure period of 10 days. Recovery in protein content was observed to a large extent in both the tissues. Total free amino acids were increased in liver and gill tissues throughout the treatment period, recovery response was seen after cessation of exposure. Ammonia level was decrease in both the tissues throughout the exposure period except in liver tissue at the end of 1st day of exposure. Recovery response was exhibited by both the tissues. A decreased in glycogen content of liver tissue was observed during exposure period, gill tissue also showed decrease in glycogen at the end of 1st and 5th day followed by increase at the end of 10th day of exposure period. When the fish were transferred to freshwater, recovery in glycogen content was noted. The activity level of alanine, aspartate aminotransaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and phosphorylases (a, ab) was increased in both the tissues, followed by recovery response after released of fish into freshwater. The present study showed that cypermethrin caused alterations in certain biochemical mechanisms of C. batrachus. This fish indicated recovery response when transferred to cypermethrin free water.     

Interactive effect of monocrotophos and ammonium chloride on the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus with reference to lactate/pyruvate ratio

Sublethal effect of monocrotophos (pesticide) and ammonium chloride (fertilizer) was studied in the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus, with reference to carbohydrate metabolism for a period of 96 h. The glycogen content was analysed in liver and muscle, while the lactate and pyruvate were assessed in blood along with liver and muscle. The results revealed that the glycogen content was found to be decreasing. In contrast increase in the tissues lactate and pyruvate level was found in the fishes exposed to pesticide and fertilizer individually and in combinations. The combined effects of these chemicals were more toxic to carbohydrate metabolism than the effect produced by the individual chemicals. The results were tested to search for statistical significance. The calculated lactate and pyruvate ratio (L/P) indicated that the fishes were under chemical stress.     

Inhibition of Na-K-ATPase in different tissues of freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) exposed to monocrotophos

Freshwater fish, Channa punctatus, commonly known as the snakehead fish, was exposed to two sublethal concentrations (0.96 and 1.86 mg/L) (selected on the basis of 1/20 and 1/10 of 96 h LC₅₀ value) of monocrotophos for two exposure periods (15 and 60 days). Effects of monocrotophos on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in liver, kidney, muscle, intestine, brain, heart and gills were determined. Results indicate that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in tissues decreased as concentration of monocrotophos and exposure period increased. Monocrotophos induced significant inhibitory effects on the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity of C. punctatus, ranging from gills (70%) > Kidney (63%) > brain (57%) > intestine (52%) > liver (50%) > muscle (47%) > heart (44%) inhibition at a sublethal concentration of 0.96 mg/L. Significant inhibition was detected in Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, ranging from gills (90%) > heart (78%) > kidney (78%) > muscle (74%) > intestine (71%) > brain (67%) > liver (63%) at sublethal concentration of 1.86 mg/L. After subacute exposure (15 days) only gills and brain showed significant inhibition after higher concentration (1.86 mg/L). However, it is evident that exposure duration is more important than dose in the inhibition of the activity of enzyme. At lower concentration initial stimulation of the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was also noticed. It is suggested that the inhibition of the ATPase by monocrotophos blocked the active transport system of the gill epithelial as well as chloride cells, glomerular and epithelial cells of the tubules and thus altered the osmoregulatory mechanism of the fish. In fact, the impairment of the activity of enzymes which carry out key physiological roles could cause alterations of the physiology of the whole organism.     

Toxicological and metabolic parameters of the teleost fish (Leporinus obtusidens) in response to commercial herbicides containing clomazone and propanil

Pesticides, such as herbicides can affect the metabolic and toxicological parameters on fish. For this reason, an experiment was carried out with the objective of to evaluate the effects of commercial formulations of clomazone and propanil herbicides on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (CAT) and metabolic parameters in teleost fish (Leporinus obtusidens). Fish were exposed during 90 days to field measured concentration of the herbicides clomazone and propanil (376 and 1644 μg/L, respectively) on rice paddy water. Specific AChE activity in the brain and muscle decreased and TBARS levels decreased in brain, muscle and liver tissues. Liver catalase decreased after exposure to both herbicides. Metabolic parameters in the liver and white muscle showed different changes after exposure to both herbicides. In summary, the results showed that clomazone and propanil affects toxicological and metabolic parameters of piavas. These results suggest that environmentally relevant herbicides concentrations are toxic to Leporinus obtusidens.     

Impact of sodium cyanide on catalase activity in the freshwater exotic carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus)

The Cyprinus carpio fingerlings on exposure to lethal (1 mg/L) and sub lethal concentrations (0.066 mg/L) of sodium cyanide showed inhibition in the activity of catalase. The disruption of catalase activity in freshwater fish, C. carpio is demonstrated in the present study using UV–visible spectrophotometer at 240 nm using hydrogen peroxide as a substrate. It suggests toxic effects of sodium cyanide and consequent accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the functionally different tissues namely, liver, gill, muscle and brain. This might lead to cellular damages, and create widespread physiological disturbance. The results suggest that catalase activity can be a good diagnostic tool for sodium cyanide toxicity in biomonitoring programme.     

Toxic effects of novel organophosphorus insecticide (RPR-V) on certain biochemical parameters of euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

The euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus was exposed to sub-lethal concentration (0.017 mg L⁻¹) of a novel phosphorothionate, 2-butenoic acid-3-(diethoxy phosphinothionyl) ethyl ester (RPR-V) for 30 days and allowed to recover for 7 days. Important biomarker enzymes were assayed in plasma, brain, gill, liver, kidney, and muscle during exposure tenures of day-3, -7, -15, -30, and also at 7 days (withdrawal) after stopping treatment. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities of brain, gill, and muscle were strongly inhibited by 67, 75, and 66%, respectively, on day-30. Exposure (time) dependent increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), acid phosphatase (AcP), and alkaline phosphatase (AkP), activities in plasma and kidney; AcP and AkP activities in gill were noticed. However, significant decrease in ALAT, ASAT, AcP, and AkP activities in liver was observed. The depletion of glycogen was observed in liver, brain, and gill tissues, an indication of typical stress related response of the fish with pesticide. A significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in gill and brain was observed and decreased in liver and muscle, indicating tissue damage and muscular harm. Depletion of glutathione (GSH) was observed in the above tissues, there by enhancing the lipid peroxidation resulting in cell damage. The induction in hepatic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels indicates the protection against the toxicity of xenobiotic-induced lipid peroxidation. There was a significant recovery in all the above biochemical parameters, in all the tissues of fish after a recovery period of 7 days. These results revealed that RPR-V affects the intermediary metabolism of O. mossambicus and the increase of biomarker enzymes in plasma, might be due to the necrosis of liver.     

Effect of lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) on carbohydrate and lipid reserves in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L

The effects of lindane on carbohydrate and lipid reserves of Periplaneta americana were studied in adult male insects. Topical application of lindane resulted in depleted levels of glycogen in the fat body (90% depletion) and thoracic musculature (57% depletion) and a 55% decrease in hemolymph trehalose (anthrone-positive material) by the prostration stage of poisoning. By contrast, lindane caused a 42% elevation of fat-body acylglycerol reserves and an associated 60% decrease of hemolymph free fatty acid levels. The lindane effects on carbohydrate and lipid were expressed also in head-ligated insects, thereby indicating that the results are not attributable solely to the action of lindane on the corpus cardiacum. The results are discussed in light of the proposal that lindane, and some other insecticides, cause indiscriminate release of neuroactive factors from the neuroendocrine system and that the consequent perturbation of physiological balance may contribute to the lethal action of the insecticide.     

Effect of short-time malathion administration on glucose homeostasis in Wistar rat

The main objective of this study is to investigate the 24 h kinetic effect of acute administration of malathion, an organophosphorus insecticide, on glucose homeostasis in adult rats. A single dose of malathion (400 mg/kg, 1/5 of LD₅₀) was administered orally to rats, blood glucose was measured, liver and pancreas were removed to determine the level of hepatic glycogen, the activity of pancreatic acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, as well as the level of TBARs. Blood glucose increased in rats treated with a single dose of malathion. This effect was observed in the first hours of treatment, reached a 2.2 fold peak after 2 h, and then decreased after 4 h, followed by a decrease in the level of hepatic glycogen. The storage of glycogen starts from 6 to 12 h of administration. A decrease in cholinesterase activities was noted. The level of TBARs increased considerably in liver and pancreas. Results of this study can be explain by a stimulation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis by liver, with a temporarily loss of endocrine functions of pancreas leading to hyperglycemia.     

Effects of the herbicide LASSO MTX (alachlor 42% W/V) on biometric parameters and liver biomarkers in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of subchronic exposure to the herbicide LASSO MTX (alachlor 42% W/V) on biometric parameters and important liver biomarkers in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). One year old fish were exposed for 28 days to LASSO MTX added to the tank water at concentrations of 240 and 2400 μg L⁻¹. The exposure did not affect fish biometric parameters. Glutathione-S-tranferase (GST) activity in liver (hepatopancreas) remained unchanged in exposed fish when compared to controls. However, significant induction of total cytochrome P 450 (CYP 450), ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and elevated glutathione (GSH) in liver of exposed fish were detected.     

Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) enzyme activities in different tissues of Sarotherodon mossambicus (Peters) exposed to a carbamate pesticide,carbaryl

The activity levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) enzymes were estimated in liver, muscle and brain tissues of the fish, Sarotherodon mossambicus (Peters), which had been exposed to sub-lethal (3 mg litre⁻¹) and lethal (25 mg litre⁻¹) concentrations of the carbamate insecticide carbaryl. Based on the results obtained, the changes in GOT and GPT levels in liver, muscle and brain following different periods of sub-lethal and lethal carbaryl exposures suggested that S mossambicus showed adaptive elevation in the activity levels of the two aminotransferase enzymes in the tissues, thereby probably aiding gluconeogenesis through transamination of glucogenic amino acids to meet the energy demand under carbaryl toxicity. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biochemical alteration induced by monocrotophos in the blood plasma of fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Monocrotophos (MCP), commonly known as azodrin, is one of the organophosphate (OP) pesticides extensively used in agricultural practices throughout the world. Channa punctatus were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.96 and 1.86 mg/L) of monocrotophos for 15 and 60 days to assess the alterations in the level of some biochemical parameters in blood plasma. Significant alterations in all the biochemical parameters were found to be dose dependent. Hypoglycemia and hypocholesteremia were observed in plasma of fish at both exposure periods (15 and 60 days). Increased activities of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), acid and alkaline phosphatase of blood plasma indicated hepatic tissue damage. Decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in plasma further indicated lower metabolic rate after 60 days of exposure. Significant decline in triglycerides content was observed in fish exposed to both sublethal concentrations of monocrotophos. We suggest that analysis of biochemical parameters in the fish blood may be useful in environmental biomonitoring.