Toxic metals (Cd and Pb) induced dysfunctioning of antioxidant system in marine fish Sphyraena barracuda (Edwards, 1771) collected from Kpeme, South of Togo

Abstract

Pollution of aquatic systems has become a recurring problem nowadays. The main goal of this study is to assess the impact of Cd and Pb on the antioxidant system of Sphyraena barracuda collected at Kpeme of South Togo. Two enzymatic biomarkers (catalase and glutathione-S-transferase) and two non-enzymatic biomarkers (malondialdehyde and glutathione) of oxidative stress were measured in various organs like liver, heart, gills and kidney of Sphyraena barracuda. The results indicated that stress was induced by Cd and Pb in these organs through lipid peroxidation and glutathione production. However, there was an alteration of the antioxidant system by low glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities in the gills. Whereas, in other organs like heart, liver, and kidney, higher activity of glutathione-S-transferase and lesser activity of catalase was observed. From the results, it is very clear that Cd and Pb altered the antioxidant system of fish in comparison to the control samples.