Biochemical Alteration Induced by Cadmium and Lead in Common Carp via an Experimental Food Chain

Abstract

Background: Evaluation on the toxicity of two mainly contaminant heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) through the food chain was the aim of this study. Methods: A total number of 270 healthy common carp (4±1.14 g) in April, 2015 transported to the Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran. Fishes were divided into three groups and transferred to the 20 L aquaria each containing 30 juveniles. The first group (control) fed by metal-free Artemia fransiscan anauplii throughout the experiment. The second and third groups were feeding by Cd and Pb (1.5 mg/L free ion) contaminated nauplia, respectively. The experimental study was carried out for three weeks and sampling was done in 4th, 7th, 14th and 21st days. Finally, the alterations in plasma biochemical responses were determined. Results: Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities increased in response to feeding Pb-contaminated nauplia. Creatine phosphokinase activity showed significant increase in fourth day about both Cd and Pb and at the end of experiment only in Cd treatment (P<0.05). Cholesterol and triglyceride were increased significantly only for Pb (P<0.05). Plasma glucose and creatinine levels increased by both heavy metals compared to the control but glucose just remained high only for Pb at the end of the experiment. Total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly declined in both metal contaminated groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems Pb had a greater toxicity than Cd through the food chain and it may be due to its more trophic transfer than Cd.

Impact of lead and cadmium chronic exposure on some physiological parameters of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

“…Our findings suggest that these toxic metals caused liver damage, resulting in the leakage of these enzymes into the blood (Thirumavalavan, 2010). These enzymes are typically elevated during acute hepatotoxicity or hepatocellular injury (Al-Asgah et al, 2015;Mohiseni et al, 2016). Similarly, a significant increase was reported in plasma (AST) and (ALT) in the Nile tilapia fish exposed to chronic Cd toxicity for 25 days.…”

Ameliorative effect of the dietary Egyptian leek ( Allium ampeloprasum L. var. kurrat ) on zinc toxicity of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

“…During metal stress, to counter the energy demand, enhancement of ALT or AST activities may occur; in contrast, high metal accumulations in the tissues occasionally decrease ALT or AST activities (Öner et al, 2009). High levels of ALT or AST in the blood may be because of cellular liver damage that usually indicates necrosis and disease in animal livers (Mohiseni et al, 2016). This matched the hepatic degeneration and necrosis, which were observed by the histopathological examination of liver sections of Zn‐exposed fish (Figure 1b).…”

A review on Immunostimulatory and antioxidant potential of herbs, Curcuma longa L., Camellia sinensis L. Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum Linn. in fish health: a sustainable approach for a healthy aquaculture

“…Lipids attacked by free radicals subsequently convert to lipid peroxidation. This metabolite is toxic and capable to damage most cells and tissues (Mohiseni et al, 2016;Singh et al, 2013b). Antioxidants are one of the main parts of the herbal structure with a high content of bioactive compounds which shown to have the ability to inhibit ROS generation and to scavenge free radicals (Citarasu, 2000).…”