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
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