Evaluation of the Antioxidant Markers in Clarias gariepinus Heart Exposed to Mercury and Ammonium Chloride
A. S. Eboh *
Molecular and Medicinal Phytochemistry Unit, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
E. M Arhoghro
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in heart of Clarias gariepinus weighing (15 ± 1.7 g) in toxic exposure to mercury concentrations, 0.1 mg/ L group B, group C 10 mg/L ammonium chloride and group D 0.1 mg/L mercury and 10 mg/L ammonium chloride for 7 consecutive days at 26 ± 1°C temperature. Group A was exposed to water alone and serve as control. At the end of the experimental period, Reduced glutathione (GSH), NO levels and the activities of Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) in heart were assayed. The result showed a significant increase (P <0.05) in the activities of ALT, Peroxidase, and SOD. However, a significant decrease in the levels of total protein content, GSH and NO were also observed. The results showed that the combined effect of mercury and ammonium had an adverse effect greater than that obtained individually.
Keywords: Mercury, ammonium, superoxide dismutase, Clarias gariepinus and antioxidant enzymes