Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY, cilt.87, sa.3, ss.248-254, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different N-acetylcysteine doses on the tolerance to fenthion-induced oxidative stress, alterations in glutathione metabolism and cholinesterase specific activities in the liver by using freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) as a model organism. An acute toxicity study was carried out to determine 96-h median lethal concentration of fenthion for this species (2.16 mg/L) and 80% of this concentration was applied in toxicity studies. Four groups, each containing eight fish were constituted as follows: Control group, fenthion treated group, 0.5 or 400 mg/kg NAC-injected + fenthion-treated groups. Biochemical analyses were carried out spectrophotometrically. Fenthion treatment significantly decreased total glutathione and glutathione levels, glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio together with glutathione reductase and gamma-glutamyleysteine synthetase specific enzyme activities. The higher dose of N-acetylcysteine increased the toxic effects of fenthion and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase specific activity while decreasing glutathione S-transferase specific activity. However, injection of the lower dose provided a limited protection against fenthion toxicity. In all exposure groups, lipid peroxidation increased and total protein levels decreased, while protein depletion was prevented by low dose of N-acetylcysteine application. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities were at similar levels in the liver of C. carpio. A dose-dependent inhibition was observed in butyrylcholinesterase activity by N-acetylcysteine application. The results showed that fenthion had a significant oxidative stress inducing potential through the reduction of glutathione redox capacity. The critical point for overcoming oxidative stress by N-acetylcysteine in fenthion toxicity was the selection of the dose; N-acetylcysteine exerted its toxic effects by means of oxidative stress in fish liver at the higher dose. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.