Reduced-glutathione concentrations in Boleophthalmus pectinirostris tissues exposed to benzo(a)pyrene

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Feng, Tao | Zheng, Wei-yun | Guo, Xiang-qun | Zhang, Yong

Affiliations: Environmental Science Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China | Chemistry Department, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

Abstract: The concentrations of reduced-glutathione (GSH) in liver and ovary of Boleophthalmus pectinirostris are quantified. The concentrations of GSH in the ovary are much higher than that of GSH in the liver(nearly 3 times of the liver). The study also investigates the changes of GSH contents in the two organs while the fishes were exposed to benzo(a)pyrene(BaP) at concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.2 and 0.5mg/L respectively for up to a week. The concentrations of GSH in the liver of BaP-exposed fish increased significantly with dose, whereas the oncentrations of GSH in the ovary decreased significantly compared to controls. The results suggested that both the liver and the ovary are the primary organ in BaP metabolism, and that the changes of GSH levels may represent an adaptive response or toxic effect to BaP exposure.

Keywords: Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, benzo(a)pyrene, reduced-glutathione

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 308-310, 2001