Biochemical and genetic alterations in the freshwater neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus after acute exposure to Microcystis aeruginosa

• Main Authors: Cylene Zambrozi Garcia, Claudia B. R. Martinez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia
• Series: Neotropical Ichthyology
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase; Antioxidants; Biotransformation; Cyanotoxin; DNA damage
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252012000300015&lng=en&tlng=en

Microcystins are secondary metabolites produced by different species of cyanobacteria, such as Microcystis aeruginosa (MA). In this study, the biochemical and genetic effects of lyophilized MA were evaluated in the neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus exposed to 1 or 2 mg L-1 lyophilized MA (treated group) or only water (control group) in static toxicity tests for 24 and 96 h. The gills and liver were used in the analysis of biotransformation enzymes and antioxidant defenses, blood and gill cells in genetic analysis and in brain and muscle it was determined the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results showed the biotransformation pathway activation due to the increase in hepatic CYP1A and in branchial and hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST). The antioxidant defense proved to be greatly affected by MA exposure leading to changes, both in gills and liver, in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and in the content of tripeptide glutathione (GSH). Lipid peroxidation was not detected, but damage to DNA molecule was observed in blood cells. In conclusion, it can be state the lyophilized MA is able to promote changes in the biochemical and genetic parameters of P. lineatus.