Effect of environmental pollution on oxidative stress biomarkers in african cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) from asejire river in oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Oluwatosin Adetola Arojojoye, Abiola Muhammad Adeosun

Background: Fishes are widely used as model organisms for the assessment of the quality of aquatic environment and can therefore serve as bioindicators of environmental pollution. In this study, the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione S-transferase (GST), Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and Malondialdehyde (MDA) formation were determined in the organs of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus from Asejire River in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The River receives effluents discharged from various industries and it is suspected to be polluted. Materials and Methods: Clarias gariepinus weighing between 400g-600g were collected from Asejire River and Clarias gariepinus from a clean fish farm (Durantee fisheries) were used as the control. Results: Compared with control, a significant increase in malondialdehyde formation was observed in the liver, kidney and gills of Clarias gariepinus from Asejire River, while a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase and GST activities was observed in these organs. There was also a decrease in reduced GSH concentration in the liver and kidney but there was an increase in the gills of Clarias gariepinus from Asejire River. Conclusion: The results of this study show that there was induction of oxidative stress in the organs of Clarias gariepinus from Asejire River reflecting the pollution status of the River.