Estimation of arsenic toxicity by analysis of certain marker enzymes of the air-breathing catfish clarias batrachus (Linn.)

Abstract

In this investigation, Clarias batrachus was exposed to sublethal concentration of sodium arsenite (1mg/L; 5% of LC50 value) for 10, 30, 45, and 60 days. Activities of several enzymes (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), lipid peroxidase (LPO)) and antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) were monitored in the serum, liver, and muscular tissues. Our results showed a significant increase in the activities of ALP, ALT, AST, and LPO after prolonged exposure of 60 days. Significant decrease in the activities of G-6-PDH, GSH, SOD, and CAT were simultaneously detected after 60 days of exposure. Total protein contents and -SH moieties also decreased significantly after 60 days. Estimation of the activities of these enzymes suggested the severe harmful effect of the trivalent arsenic salt, responsible for tissue damages in the C. batrachus during biochemical analyses. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.