Effects of environmental pollution in caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis).
Biological effects of environmental pollution, mainly related to presence of PAHs, were assessed in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis caged in Priolo, an anthropogenically-impacted area, and Vendicari, a reference site, both located along the eastern coastline of Sicily (Italy). PAHs concentration and histopathological changes were measured in digestive gland tissues. Expression of cytochrome P4504Y1 (CYP4Y1) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), indicative of xenobiotic detoxification, and activity of catalase (CAT) as oxidative stress index, were evaluated. The results show a direct correlation between the high concentrations of PAHs in digestive glands of mussels from Priolo and the significantly altered activity of phase I (P < 0.001) and phase II (P < 0.0001) biotransformation enzymes, along with increased levels of CAT activity (P < 0.05). These findings show the enhancement of the detoxification and antioxidant defense systems. The mussel caging approach and selected biomarkers demonstrated to be reliable for the assessment of environmental pollution effects on aquatic organisms.
Department of Animal Biology and Marine Ecology, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
Tiziana
T
Cappello
Maria
M
Maisano
Alessia
A
D'Agata
Antonino
A
Natalotto
Angela
A
Mauceri
Salvatore
S
Fasulo
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics; D049878:Mytilus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012802:Sicily; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D002374:Catalase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase
Biomarker; Catalase; Coastal waters; Cytochrome; Digestive gland; Eastern Sicily; Environmental toxicology; Glutathione S-transferase; Mytilus galloprovincialis