Abstract
Interactive effects of cadmium and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on eel Anguilla anguilla liver were studied at the ultrastructural and biotransformation enzyme levels. Seawater-adapted eels were held for 24 days in either clean or cadmium-containing (5 μg Cd −1) seawater. then given a single intraperitoneal injection of BaP (20 mg kg −1 body weight) and finally sacrificed 24 h later. Cadmium exposure alone caused a hepatic perivascular fibrosis. whereas the short-term BaP intoxication alone produced marked lipid droplet accumulation associated with glycogen depletion. When eels were exposed to both toxicants together, the liver showed a complete disorganisation of the hepatic parenchyma including nuclear degeneration. The existence of elements of a biotransformation enzyme system, i.e. cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). was demonstrated in the liver. BaP injection alone had no detectable effect on microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity but markedly increased 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase (BaPMO) activities (induction factors of 15- and 35-fold, respectively). In contrast, cytosolic GST activity was slightly decreased by this treatment. In cadmium-exposed eels, BaP treatment elicited a higher increase in EROD and BaPMO activities (induction factors of 19- and 71-fold. respectively) and also causes a 1.8-fold increase in cylochrome P-450 microsomal content. The effects of cadmium on biotransformation enzymes are discussed in relation to the ultrastructural effects of both toxicants.
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