Biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo em tilápia do nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (Teleostei; Cichlidae), expostas ao sulfato de cobre aquático

Abstract

In this study the effects of the aquatic copper (CuSO4) on biological markers of oxidative stress were assessed in the plasma, liver, gills and heart of the Nile tilapia, Oreocrhromis niloticus, exposed for 96 hours to crescent concentrations of this salt. The indiscriminate use of CuSO4 as a prophylactic agent in aquaculture systems results in an accumulation of ion cooper (Cu2+) causing toxicity for the cultivated species. The lipid peroxidation in the plasma of experimental fish, determined by the production of the reactants of thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxide (HP) did not change with copper exposition. However, the defense promoted by the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased in the groups submitted to 0.7, 1.5 and 3.0 mg.L-1 of CuSO4. In the hepatic tissue, there were no significant differences in the production of HP among groups submitted to CuSO4 and control animals. The antioxidant defense induced by GSH-Px increased significantly in the concentration of 0.35 mg. L-1. However, it decreased significantly in the concentrations of 0.70 and 4.00 mg.L-1. The activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the catalase (CAT) continued in the control levels, independently of the test concentration. Nevertheless, in the gills occurred a significant increase in the HP levels in the SOD activity at concentrations of 0.7 and 1.5 mg.L-1. The activity of GSH-Px did not change and the CAT decreased in the groups exposed to 0.7 and 1.5 mg.L-1. These data allow to conclude that oxygenfree radicals are produced as mediators of the copper toxicity. The development of the resistance to high concentrations of CuSO4 is mainly related to the increase in the levels of plasmatic GSH-Px and posterior maintenance of the levels of this enzyme on the studied tissues, thus granting important oxidant defense and consequent protection against oxidative damages induced by the CuSO4, obstructing the lipoid peroxidation, mainly in the liver of experimental animals.