Effects of the model PAH phenanthrene on immune function and oxidative stress in the haemolymph of the temperate scallop Pecten maximus.
Phenanthrene, a major component of crude oil, is one of the most abundant PAHs in aquatic ecosystems, and is readily bioavailable and toxic to a range of marine invertebrates. Within bivalves, the haemolymph acts as a transfer medium for these pollutants and their metabolic products, leaving haemocytes susceptible to deleterious effects. Using a suite of biological endpoints, this study determined the sublethal (7-d exposure to 50, 100 and 200microgL(-1)) effects of phenanthrene on several oxidative stress and immunological parameters in the haemolymph of the commercially-important scallop Pecten maximus. Phenanthrene exposure (200microgL(-1)) resulted in immune modulation with significant reductions in cell membrane stability (P<0.05) and phagocytosis (P<0.05), and a significant increase in the number of total haemocytes (P<0.05). Oxidative stress was also observed with a significant decrease in total glutathione (P<0.05) and significantly increased levels of lipid peroxidation in the haemolymph (P<0.05). Changes in the cellular and biochemical endpoints observed in this study illustrate their potential use in assessing the subtle effects of contaminant exposure. Whilst previous reports have suggested a link between free radical generation and immune suppression in vertebrates, this is the first instance where oxidative stress and immune function have been measured together in the haemolymph of a bivalve mollusc, demonstrating a possible link between PAH-induced oxidative stress and the subsequent inhibition in haemocyte immune function.
Hannam
Marie L
ML
Ecotoxicology and Stress Biology Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Devon, UK. marie.hannam@plymouth.ac.uk
Bamber
Shaw D
SD
Galloway
Tamara S
TS
John Moody
A
A
Jones
Malcolm B
MB
D000818:Animals; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008956:Models, Chemical; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D049910:Pecten / Q000187:drug effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D010616:Phenanthrenes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C031181:phenanthrene; D005978:Glutathione