Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Biomarkers Responses of Land Snails Helix aspersa Exposed to Chronic Metal Pollution under Field and Laboratory Conditions


Affiliations
1 Biology Department, Chadli Ben Jdide University, El tarf 36000, Algeria
2 Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
 

The effects of exposure to metals under field and laboratory conditions were investigated in the terrestrial land snail Helix aspersa. In this study, terrestrial snails, collected from an uncontaminated site in Guelma city (North east of Algeria) and transplanted at the industrial zone of El hadjar contaminated by several heavy metals. On the other hand groups of Helix aspersa were exposed to increasing concentrations of industrial metal dust (100, 300 and 500μg/g of diet) for a total duration of 12 weeks. A battery of non-enzymatic biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and enzymatic biomarkers catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) were applied for the estimation of biochemical effects induced by the chronic exposure of snails to mixture of metal dust. Several responses have been revealed in digestive gland, serum and HLS. The results showed that CAT activity and MDA content were significantly higher in snails from the polluted site of El Hadjar and specimens exposed to high concentration of metal dust. In contrast GST activity and GSH level showed significant decrease in both transplanted and metal dust exposed snails. Therefore, our results showed the importance of H. aspersa as a sentinel organism for biomonitoring.

Keywords

Helix aspersa, Heavy Metals, Biomarkers, CAT, GSH, GST, MDA, Pollution.
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Abdel-Halim, K.Y., Abo El-Saad, A.M., Talha, M.M., Hussein, A.A. and Bakry, N.M. 2013. Oxidative stress on land snail Helix aspersa as a sentinel organism for ecotoxicological effects of urban pollution with heavy metals. Chemosphere, 93: 1131-1138.

  • Ansher, S.S., Dolan, P. and Bueding, E. 1986. Biochemical effects of dithioli-thiones. Food. Chem.Toxicol., 24: 405-415.

  • Bai, J. and Cederbaum, A.I. 2003. Catalase protects HepG2 cells from apoptosis induced by DNA-damaging agents by accelerating the degradation of p53. J. Biol. Chem., 278(7): 4660-4667.

  • Bai, J., Rodriguez, A.M., Melendez, J.A. and Cederbaum, A.I. 1999. Over expression of catalase in cytosolic or mitochondrial compartment protects HepG2 cells against oxidative injury. J. Biol. Chem., 274(37): 26217-26224.

  • Barker, G.M. (ed.) 2001. The Biology of Terrestrial Molluscs. CABI Publishing, Oxon, UK.

  • Beeby, A. and Richmond, L. 1998. Variation in the mineral composition of eggs of snail, Helix aspersa between populations exposed to different levels of metal contamination. Environmental Pollution, 101: 2531.

  • BorkovicMitic, S., Pavlovic, S.Z., Perendija, B., Despotovic, S., Gavric, J., Gacic, Z. and Saicic, Z. 2013. Influence of some metal concentrations on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of vitamin E and SH-groups in the digestive gland and gills of the freshwater bivalve Unio tumidus from the Serbian part of Sava River. Ecological Indicators, 32: 212–221.

  • Boucenna, M., Berrebbah, H., Atailia, A., Grara, N. and Djebar, M.R. 2015. Effects of metal dust on functional markers and histology of gland digestive and kidney of the land snails (Helix aspersa)in the North East of Algeria. Global Veterinaria, 14(2): 189-198.

  • Cain, A.J. 1983. Ecology and ecogenetics of terrestrial molluscan populations. In: Russell-Hunter. W.D. (Ed.). The Mollusca. Academic Press, London, pp. 597-647.

  • Cossu, C., Doyotte, A., Jacquin, M.C., Babut, M., Exinger, A. and Vasseur, P. 1997. Glutathione reductase, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase, glutathione levels and lipid peroxidation in fresh water bivalves, Unio tumidus, as biomarkers of aquatic contamination in field studies. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., 38: 121-131.

  • Dallinger, R. 1993. Strategies of metal detoxification in terrestrial invertebrates. In: Dallinger, R., Rainbow, P. (Eds.), Ecotoxicology of Metals in Invertebrates. Lewis, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 245-289.

  • Dickinson, D.A. and Forman, H.J. 2002. Cellular glutathione and thiols metabolism. Biochem. Pharmacol., 64: 1019-1026.

  • Draper, H.H. and Hadley, M. 1990. Malondialdehyde determination as index of lipid peroxidation. Meth. Enzymol., 186: 241-431.

  • Faria, M., Carrasco, L., Diez, S., Riva, M., Bayona, J.M. and Barata, C. 2009. Multi-biomarker responses in the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha exposed to polychlorobiphenyls and metals. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C, 149: 281288.

  • Fernandez-Checa, J.C. 2003. Redox regulation and signaling lipids in mitochondrial apoptosis. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 304: 471-479.

  • Filho, W.D., Tribess, T., Gaspari, C., Claudio, F.D., Torres, M.A. and Magalhaes, A.R.M. 2001. Seasonal changes in antioxidant defenses of the digestive gland of the brown mussel (Perna perna). Aquaculture, 203: 149-158.

  • Geret, F., Serafim, A., Barriera, L. and Bebianno, M.J. 2002. Effect of Cd on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in the gills of the clam Ruditapes decussates. Biomarkers, 7: 242-256.

  • Geret, F., Serafim, A. and Bebianno, M.J. 2003. Antioxidant enzyme activities, metallothioneins and lipid peroxidation as biomarkers in Ruditapesdecussates, Ecotoxicology, 12: 417-426.

  • Giarratano, E., Mónica, N., Gil, G.M. 2014. Biomarkers of environmental stress in gills of ribbed mussel Aulacomya atra atra (Nuevo Gulf, Northern Patagonia). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 107: 111-119.

  • Gomot, A. 1997. Dose-dependent effects of cadmium on the growth of snails in toxicity bioassays. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 33: 209-216.

  • Gomot-de Vaufleury, A. 2000. Standardized growth toxicity testing (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Pentachlorophenol) with Helix aspersa. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 46: 41-50.

  • Gomot-de Vaufleury, A. and Pihan, F. 2000. Growing snails used as sentinels to evaluate terrestrial environment contamination by trace elements. Chemosphere, 40: 275-284.

  • Gopalakrishnan, S., Huang, W., Wang, Q., Wu, M., Jie Liu and Wang, K.J. 2011. Effects of tributyltin and benzo[a]pyrene on the immuneassociated activities of hemocytes and recovery responses in the gastropod abalone, Haliotis diversicolor. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C, 154: 120-128.

  • Gopalakrishnan, S., Thilagam, H., Yi Chen, F., Jun, B. and John, P.G. 2013. Modulation of immune-associated parameters and antioxidant responses in the crab (Scylla serrata) exposed to mercury. Chemosphere, 90: 917-928.

  • Gopalakrishnan, S., Thilagam, H., Huang, W.B. and Wang, K.J. 2009. Immunomodulation in the marine gastropod Haliotis diversicolor exposed to benzo(a)pyrene. Chemosphere, 75: 389-397.

  • Grara, N., Boucenna, M., Atailia, A., Berrebbah, H. and Djebar, M.R. 2012. Stress oxydatif des poussières métalliques du complexe sidérurgique d’Annaba (Nord-Est algérien) chez l’escargot Helixa spersa. Environ RisqueSante. Vol. 11, n°83.

  • Gravato, C., Teles, M., Oliveira, M. and Santos, M.A. 2006. Oxidative stress, liver biotransformation and genotoxic effects induced by copper in Anguilla Anguilla L. the influence of pre-exposure to [beta] naphthoflavone. Chemosphere, 65: 1821-1830.

  • Habig, W.H., Pabst, M.J. and Jakoby, W.B. 1974. Gluthation-Stransferases: the first enzymatic step in mercapturic acid formation. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 249: 7130-7139.

  • Hultberg, B., Andersson, A. and Isaksson, A. 2001. Interaction of metals and thiols in cell damage and glutathione distribution: potentiation of mercury toxicity by dithiothreitol. Toxicology, 156: 93-100.

  • Jaiswal, A.K. 1994. Antioxidant response element. Biochem. Pharmacol., 48: 439-444.

  • Laskowski, R. and Hopkin, S.P. 1996a. Accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in the garden snail Helix aspersa: implications for predators. Environmental Pollution, 91: 289-297.

  • Laskowski, R. and Hopkin, S.P. 1996b. Effect of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd on fitness in snails (Helix aspersa). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 34: 59-69.

  • Leonard, S.S., Harris, G.K., Shi, X. 2004. Metal-induced oxidative stress and signal transduction. Free Radic. Biol. Med., 37: 19211942.

  • Livingstone, D.R. 2001. Contaminant stimulated reactive oxygen species production and oxidative damage in aquatic organisms. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 42: 656–666.

  • Mule, M.B. and Lomte, V.S. 1994. Effect of heavy metals (CuSO4 and HgCl2) on the oxygen consumption of the freshwater snail Thiaratuberculata. J. Environ. Biol., 15: 263-268.

  • Kamel, N.M., Jebali, J., Banni, M., Ben Khedher, S., Chouba, L. and Boussetta, H. 2012. Biochemical responses and metals levels in Ruditapes decussates after exposure to treated municipal effluents. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 82: 40-46.

  • Pellerin-Massicote, J. 1994. Oxidative processes as indicators of chemical stress in marine bivalves. J. Aquat. Ecosyst. Health., 3: 101111.

  • Puntarulo, S. and Cederbaum, A.I. 1988. Comparison of the ability of the ferric complexes to catalyze microsomal chemiluminescence, lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical generation. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 264: 482-491.

  • Quig, D. 1998. Cysteine metabolism and metal toxicity. Altern. Med. Rev., 3: 262-270.

  • Radwan, M.A., El-Gendy, K.S. and Gad, A.F. 2010. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in the land snail, Theba pisana for assessing ecotoxicological effects of urban metal pollution. Chemosphere, 79: 40-46.

  • Rees, T. 1993. Glutathione-S-transferase as a biological marker of aquatic contamination. M.Sc Thesis in Applied Toxicology, Portsmouth University, U.K.

  • Regoli, F. and Principato, G. 1995. Glutathione, glutathione-dependant and antioxidant enzymes in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to metals under field and laboratory conditions: implication for the biomarkers. Aquatic Toxicology, 31: 143-164.

  • Roling, J.A. and Baldwin, W.S. 2006. Alterations in hepatic gene expression by trivalent chromium in Fundulus heteroclitus. Mar. Environ. Res., 62: 122-127.

  • Romeo, M., Bennani, N., Gnassia-Barelli, M., La faurie, M. and Girard, J.P. 2000. Cadmium and copper display different responses towards oxidative stress in the kidney of the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Aquat.Toxicol., 48: 185–94.

  • Saïdi, S.A., Azaza, M.S., Windmoldersc, P., van Pelt, J. and El-Feki, A. 2013. Cytotoxicity evaluation and antioxidant enzyme expression related to heavy metals found in tuna by-products meal: An in vitro study in human and rat liver cell lines. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 65: 1025-1033.

  • Sminia, T. and Barendsen, L. 1980. A comparative morphological and enzyme histochemical study on blood cells of the freshwater snails Lymnaea stagnalis, Biomphalaria glabrata and Bulinus truncatus. J. Morphol., 165: 31-39.

  • Tadjine, A., Djebar, H. and Courtois, A. 2008. Toxicitè des poussières rejetées par le complexe sidérurgique d’Annaba sur quelques paramètres hématologiques du lapin Europeus. Environ. Risque.Sante., Volume 7, numéro 3.

  • Tao,Y., Pan, L., Zhang, H. and Tian, S. 2013. Assessment of the toxicity of organochlorine pesticide endosulfan in clams Ruditapes philippinarum. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 93: 22-30.

  • Walker, C.H., Hopkin, S.P., Sibly, R.M. and Peakall, D.B. 1976. Principles of Ecotoxicology. Taylor and Francis, London. 321.

  • Wang, Z., Yan, C., Vulpe, C.D., Yan, Y. and Chi, Q. 2012. Incorporation of in situ exposure and biomarkers response in clams Ruditapes philippinarum for assessment of metal pollution in coastal areas from the Maluan Bay of China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 64: 90-98.

  • Weckberker, G. and Cory, G. 1988. Ribonucléotide reductase activity and growth of glutathione depleted mouse leukemial 1210 cells in vitro. Cacer letters, 40: 257-264.

  • Winston, G.W. and Di Giulio, R.T. 1991. Prooxidant and antioxidant mechanisms in aquatic organisms. Aquat. Toxicol., 19: 137-161.

  • Wu, G. and Yi, Y. 2015. Effects of dietary heavy metals on the immune and antioxidant systems of Galleria mellonella larvae. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C, 167: 131-139.


Abstract Views: 186

PDF Views: 0




  • Biomarkers Responses of Land Snails Helix aspersa Exposed to Chronic Metal Pollution under Field and Laboratory Conditions

Abstract Views: 186  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Amira Atailia
Biology Department, Chadli Ben Jdide University, El tarf 36000, Algeria
Houria Berrebbah
Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Mounir Boucenna
Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Amel Alayat
Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Rima Amamra
Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Nedjoud Grara
Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
Mohamed Reda Djebar
Laboratory of Cellular Toxicology, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria

Abstract


The effects of exposure to metals under field and laboratory conditions were investigated in the terrestrial land snail Helix aspersa. In this study, terrestrial snails, collected from an uncontaminated site in Guelma city (North east of Algeria) and transplanted at the industrial zone of El hadjar contaminated by several heavy metals. On the other hand groups of Helix aspersa were exposed to increasing concentrations of industrial metal dust (100, 300 and 500μg/g of diet) for a total duration of 12 weeks. A battery of non-enzymatic biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and enzymatic biomarkers catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) were applied for the estimation of biochemical effects induced by the chronic exposure of snails to mixture of metal dust. Several responses have been revealed in digestive gland, serum and HLS. The results showed that CAT activity and MDA content were significantly higher in snails from the polluted site of El Hadjar and specimens exposed to high concentration of metal dust. In contrast GST activity and GSH level showed significant decrease in both transplanted and metal dust exposed snails. Therefore, our results showed the importance of H. aspersa as a sentinel organism for biomonitoring.

Keywords


Helix aspersa, Heavy Metals, Biomarkers, CAT, GSH, GST, MDA, Pollution.

References