Monitoring of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Toxicity of Lead and Mercury in Catfish of Lake Mariout, Egypt: The Role of Meso -2, 3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA)

Abstract

The present investigation was designed to evaluate the dangerous effects of the Pb and Hg on Clarias gariepinus inhabiting Lake Mariout and assay the possible protective effect of meso-2, 3 dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The test fish were divided into four groups kept in plastic tanks (20 fish each) containing 30L of Lake Mariout water. Group (1): Standard group (zero time); Group (2): Unexposed DMSA group, Group (3): Low dose DMSA group; Group (4): High dose DMSA group. Fish exposed to DMSA showed significant decrease in lead (P≤0.05) and mercury concentrations (P≤0.05) in kidney, liver, gills, muscle and blood than unexposed group. The present results clearly indicate a significant decrease in RBCs, Hb, Hct, and platelet counts while a significant increase in MCH, MCHC, and WBCs in the Clarias gariepinus collected from the main basin of Lake Mariout. A marked significant decrease in AST, ALT, urea, creatinine (P≤0.05) was observed in DMSA groups. A significant increase in CAT, GPX and SOD was observed after exposure to DMSA. In addition, DMSA exposure improved the histopathological alterations in fish liver and kidney.