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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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Your Environment. Your Health.

Publication Detail

Title: Oxidative stress in two populations of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) with differing contaminant exposure histories.

Authors: Bacanskas, Lisa R; Whitaker, Julia; Di Giulio, Richard T

Published In Mar Environ Res, (2004 Aug-Dec)

Abstract: A population of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting a creosote-polluted inlet of the Elizabeth River demonstrates tolerance to the acute toxic effects exerted by contaminated sediments on reference site killifish. Previous data have suggested that upregulated antioxidant defenses contribute to short-term tolerance in killifish exposed to Elizabeth River sediments. This study investigated population differences in antioxidant defenses from wild caught Elizabeth River and reference population killifish in different seasons, and after being held in the laboratory. Parameters measured in the killifish were total glutathione concentrations (GSH(T)), activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and lipid peroxidation (LPO), all in adult hepatic tissues. The Elizabeth River population exhibited greater GSH(T), higher GPx activities, and increased LPO as compared to the reference population. Sex specific population differences were also observed in GSH(T) and GPx. Both populations displayed decreased GSH(T) and increased GR from early to late summer, as well as after being held in the laboratory. This study indicates that there are many factors that may contribute to differences in levels of antioxidant defenses in addition to exposure to contaminants, including reproductive status and environmental conditions.

PubMed ID: 15178085 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Comparative Study; Creosote/toxicity*; Environmental Exposure*; Enzyme Induction/drug effects; Fundulidae/metabolism*; Glutathione Peroxidase/biosynthesis; Glutathione Reductase/biosynthesis; Glutathione/metabolism; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects; Liver/enzymology; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Rivers; Seasons*; Sex Factors; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Virginia

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