Physiol. Res. 54: 585-591, 2005
 


Biochemical Changes of Enzymatic Defense System after Phenanthrene Exposure in Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

J.-H. JEE1, J.-C. KANG2

1Institute of Fisheries Sciences and 2Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea

Received August 17, 2004
Accepted October 21, 2004
On-line available February 16, 2005


Summary
The objective of this study was to investigate the early biological response in the olive flounder exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of waterborne phenanthrene (0.5, 1 or 2 μM). The fish were exposed for 4 weeks and we analyzed their enzymatic defense system, antioxidant and phase II enzyme activities, to evaluate the chronic exposure toxicity of phenanthrene. Waterborne phenanthrene affected antioxidant enzymes and glutathione-mediated detoxification as an enzyme defense system. Hepatic, gill and kidney glutathione reductase as well as glutathione S-transferase, and catalase activities were markedly elevated after two or four weeks of exposure. These enzyme activities of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, seem to be a convenient approach for monitoring pollution in coastal areas against polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution including phenanthrene.


Key words
Antioxidant enzymes • Detoxification • Olive flounder • Phase II enzyme • Phenanthrene


© 2005 by the Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences