Anthropogenic effects on digestive gland of Pinna nobilis using oxidative stress biomarkers

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis L. is the largest endemic bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea under strict protection. The aim was to determine the effects of anthropogenic activity on antioxidant and oxidative stress biomarkers in digestive gland of P. nobilis. Antioxidant enzyme activities and protein oxidation were significantly increased in mussels sampled in the impacted area. The anthropogenic activities induced a situation of oxidative stress in P. nobilis, resulting in an antioxidant response and in an increased protein oxidatio

Pennella filosa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae) from Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces, Coryphaenidae) captured in western Mediterranean (Balearic Islands). Morphological and biological aspects

Sixty one fishes of the species Coryphaena hippurus (Linneo, 1758) have been examined for the presence of the pennellid copepod Pennella filosa (Linneo, 1758) from western Mediterranean (Balearic Islands). Prevalence was 46%. Head, neck, genital complex and abdomen were measured as well as horns. The cefalotorax of the parasites were attached in different locations on fishes but mainly on fins and dorsolateral muscles. Mean intensity, mean abundance and range were determined and data has been analysed by means of Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Likewise ecological aspects of the parasitism and some data of biological cycle were examined.Se han examinado sesenta y un especímenes de Coryphaena hippurus (Linneo, 1758) para hallar la presencia del copépodo del género Pennella Pennella filosa (Linneo, 1758) del Mediterráneo occidental (Islas Baleares). La prevalencia fue del 46%. Se realizaron mediciones de cabeza, cuello, complejo genital y abdomen, así como de los “cuernos”. El cefalotórax de los parásitos estaba adherido a diferentes partes del cuerpo de los peces, pero principalmente a las aletas y a los músculos dorsolaterales. Se determinaron la intensidad media, la abundancia media y el rango, y se analizaron los datos mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Igualmente, se examinaron aspectos ecológicos del parasitismo y algunos datos del ciclo biológico.Ciencias del Ma

Biological effects of PAHs and heavy metals in Mytilus galloprovincialis: Assessment of the petrochemical industry in the Sicilian Coast, Italy

The use of biomarkers to analyze the effects of exposure to chemical contaminants in the aquatic environment is more extended nowadays. Mussels are sedentary filter-feeding organisms which may be exposed to large amounts of chemical pollutants. Mussels are prone to bioaccumulation and magnification of contaminants. In the present work, biological effects of environmental pollution were evaluated, mainly related to presence of PAHs and heavy metals, through several antioxidants and detoxification biomarkers in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from three areas located in the Eastern coastline of Sicily (Italy), previously transplanted (active biomonitoring). One of these three areas corresponds to the industrial harbour area between Augusta and Priolo, considered one of the most extensive areas of petrochemical industrial activity in Europe, severely contaminated by PAHs and heavy metals; a second point is located in Brucoli, littoral zone where the presence of xenobiotics in the environment is considered negligible; and a third point (reference site) from which proceed the pristine population of M. galloprovincialis. Changes at molecular and biochemical level in the tissue of the digestive gland were quantified. The results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase, the activity and expression of the detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, and malondialdehyde levels, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, in mussels from the area of Priolo. The metallothioneins (MTs) gene expression was significantly induced in mussels (p<0.05) from Priolo when compared to those from the reference site. AChE was negatively affected by pollutants evidencing a decreased activity in Priolo (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the three sampling sites in the expression of the CYP3A1. In conclusion, the observed results demonstrate that the pollution associated with petrochemical industrial area (mainly of PAHs and heavy metals) causes the activation of the detoxification and antioxidant defence systems in the digestive gland of the mussels M. galloprovincialis, indicative of oxidative stress. This study provides further evidence of the criticality representing harbour areas, due to the presence of xenobiotics in high concentrations, which can accumulate in sediments and in living organisms due to the limited hydrodynamic inside harbour

Induction of detoxification systems in wild red mullet Mullus surmuletus after microplastic ingestion

Marine litter greatly affects marine species and ecosystems (1), however there is little evidence of physiological responses of vertebrates to plastic exposure. In this study, wild mullets Mullus surmuletus were obtained from fishing vessels operating in Mallorca Island (W Mediterranean). Stomach content analyses and identification under microscope determined that 28% of the samples had ingested microplastics. Liver samples of surmullets with and without microplastic ingestion were analysed to determine physiological effects. Results suggest an induction of the detoxification system in M. surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 but no oxidative stress or cellular damage