Induction of cytochrome P-450 and mixed function oxygenase activity by low concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in marine fish Zosterisessor ophiocephalus(Pall.)

Fish as bioindicators of brackish ecosystem health: integrating biomarker responses and target pollutant concentrations

“…2). High BaPMO activities observed in grass gobies from site STP were similar to those reported by Nasci et al (1985Nasci et al ( , 1991 and Casini et al (1994) for both the highly polluted area of Porto Marghera (2.1 and 2.18 ± 1.53 U.F. min -1 mg proteins -1 ) and the urban area of the Venice lagoon (2.5 ± 1.5 U.F.…”

“…Liver metabolic activity (SLI) and P450 responses in 10 fish collected from each sampling site (P < 0.05 marked with * and P < 0.01 marked with **). from a highly industrialised area of the Venice lagoon (Porto Marghera) showed similar SLI values (2.9 ± 0.32) (Nasci et al, 1991). However, the same authors as well as Casini et al (1994) reported lower SLI values in grass gobies from areas of the Venice lagoon with low pollution (1.93 ± 0.8 to 1.7 ± 0.7 and 1.7 ± 0.93, respectively), as in those measured in fish from the Ansedonia canal (AC, eastern basin).…”

“…The mixed function oxidase system P450 is known to play a major role in the oxidative metabolism/biotransformation of toxic compounds such as chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons. Both EROD and BaPMO activities are, in fact, widely used in environmental exposure assessments to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and PAHs in a variety of fish species, including grass goby (Z. ophiocephalus) (Goksøyr and Förlin, 1992;Goksøyr, 1995;Livingstone, 1996;Nasci et al, 1985Nasci et al, , 1991Livingstone et al, 1995). The AChE enzyme activity also represents a more specific marker of exposure to agricultural pesticides such as organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CB) insecticides.…”

“…The fish species selected for this study, grass goby (Z. ophiocephalus), is a typical resident bottom-dweller abundant in shallow waters, like the Orbetello lagoon. It is suitable for biomonitoring studies of brackish environments because it can concentrate pollutants to a higher degree than other species, due to the fact that it feeds on sediments and has reduced detoxifying capabilities (Fossato, 1982;Nasci et al, 1991;Livingstone et al, 1995;Pulsford et al, 1995;Pastor et al, 1996).…”

Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Liver Ultrastructure, Hepatic Monooxygenases, and Reproductive Success in the Barbel

“…Such a correlation and MO induction in the same range are well documented in other fish species, both in vitro (Fo¨rlin and Lidman, 1978;Nasci et al, 1991) and in situ Masfaraud et al, 1990;Haasch et al, 1993;Burgeot et al, 1994;Eggens et al, 1995). The results thus confirm the major impact of PCBs on liver oxidases in the barbel, as previously reported by Vindimian et al (1991) in the River Rhoˆne.…”